On Tuesday a rare migrant was observed at the Alva Paul Creek Lagoon on Morro Strand State Beach. By 9:00 Wednesday morning I was slogging down the sand trail to the beach and the lagoon. Due to high tides the sand on the beach was firm and easy to walk on. In the distance I could see the lagoon and two people whom I assumed were birders because they had a scope and binoculars and were focused on the lagoon. I was nearly positive they were looking at the, newly arrived Buff-breasted Sandpiper. It's usual migratory route is from it's Arctic breeding grounds, through the middle of the continent, to Southern South America. To say the least, an amazing journey for a five ounce bird.
The day was damp and overcast, not a hint of sun. The beach was active with Long-billed Curlew (above), Willet, Marbled Godwit, and thousands of Elegant Terns; mixed into the mass were Royal Terns; overhead flew two Caspian Terns. I find the constant, rather boisterou chatter of Terns most amusing. The chattering Terns along the lagoon in the video is a small example of the number of Terns that were on the beach.
https://youtu.be/F4Gzbgw54Yw
Elegant Tern are enthusiastic bathers.
Upon reaching the lagoon the pair of local birders pointed out the juvenile Buff-breasted Sandpiper. The precious little traveler was easy to see and did not seem bothered by our presence. It had a speedy walk, different than our basic Sandpipers, the Western and Least Sandpiper. Photo by Tom Edell, birder extraordinaire.
There are several high tides this week that will expand the size of the Alva Paul Creek Lagoon. Will this rare sandpiper continue to grace us with her presence? I'll find out on Sunday when I return to the beach and the bounty of migratory birds on the beach.
