Friday, July 15, 2011

Bolivar Beach Birding

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The open beach at the end of Rettilon Road was packed with people, tents and cars (not to mention trash). However, we were pleased to see that the sanctuary area behind the wooden pilings was deserted. A rather dishevelled Great Blue Heron - the only Great Blue we saw the whole weekend - was perched on the pilings. 


As we strolled along the beach, numerous Brown Pelicans, Terns and Gulls patrolled the water's edge.


Shorebirds were comparatively scarce. The first ones we came across were a pair of beautiful Long-billed Curlews.



Further along were a couple of Willets.


Willets look a little drab - until they stretch their wings and fly.



Least Terns were nesting behind the beach and flying back and forth to the water. And sometimes they were resting halfway.



Bolivar Beach is a great place for watching large wading birds fishing in the shallow waters. This Snowy Egret was rushing about scaring up fish with its bright yellow feet.


A Reddish Egret was fishing at a more leisurely pace.


The real stars of the beach, though, were the Black Skimmers. But I think they deserve a whole blog post to themselves.
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