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Rollover Pass on Bolivar can be a great birding site or a poor one, depending on the state of the tide and the number of anglers present there. When we went on the Labor Day weekend, the tide was high and the site was crowded with fishermen. In spite of this, we saw quite a few birds out in the water, along the beach and even in the parking area.
The water had a few large waders (Snowy Egrets and a Tricolored Heron) as well as several groups of Brown Pelicans. The latter species usually fishes by diving into the sea from a height but these birds were adopting a different approach. They would float on the water and then suddenly fly just a few yards before settling back down onto the water and grabbing fish.
Two Marbled Godwits turned up and began to groom as we were watching.
The edge of the beach had adult and young Laughing Gulls.
There were Semipalmated Plovers (with black neck band) and Sanderlings also.
There were some adult and young Wilson's Plovers, distinguished from the Leasts by their heavy bills.
A handsome American Oystercatcher was prowling along the water's edge, while a Willet wandered nearby.
There were Royal and Least Terns, too.
One of the Leasts decided to bathe and groom.
The parking area itself had several of the same birds but also had a couple of Ruddy Turnstones.
The puddles had Snowy Egrets.
As we prepared to leave, I mentioned to Dee that I was disappointed not to have seen a Reddish Egret, a bird missing from my 2014 list. Amazingly, right then one flew down into one of the puddles among the parked vehicles.
It even proceeded to groom just yards from our car.
It was certainly a very good note on which to end our short visit to Rollover.
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As has been the case so many other days this spring, High Island was quiet for migrants. After 30 minutes at Hook Woods, we had seen only a handful of warbler species. So we headed up to Smith Oaks.
There were only few migrants: Scarlet Tanager, Orchard Oriole and Rose-breasted Grosbeak (female below).
A Magnolia Warbler put in a very brief appearance, followed by a Blackburnian Warbler, my favorite of all the warblers.
The rookery was not likely to produce any new birds for my day's list but I couldn't resist going up to spend a few minutes there. It's always one of the best shows in town.
The air was full with Great Egrets.
Several more were on their nests, complete with nestlings.
Snowy Egrets looked splendid in breeding plumage.
Most of the Roseate Spoonbills were grazing at the edge of the water or sitting quietly on their nests.
However, a few were more active, with some still collecting nest-building materials.
As High Island was not very productive, we decided to press on to Rollover Pass on Bolivar Peninsula. It would be very surprising if that didn't add 20 or more species to my list.
We weren't disappointed. The sandbars were crowded with Brown Pelicans, gulls, terns, Black Skimmers and shorebirds.
Scores of American Avocets in breeding plumage were fishing behind the other birds.
Laughing Gulls and Brown Pelicans were everywhere.
The beach had dozens of Least Terns.
I counted six other tern Species, including Black Terns and Royal Terns.
Ruddy Turnstones were patrolling while Marbled Godwits groomed in the shallows.
Nearby, a Willet rested on one leg.
Plovers were surprisingly absent. I spotted only a solitary Wilson's Plover on the sand.
After 20 minutes or so watching the birds at Rollover, we left to head for the Bolivar Sands Shorebird Sanctuary, intending to have a quick look along Bob's Road on the way. Then it would be the ferry to Galveston, a late lunch at Mario's on the Seawall and a visit to Lafitte's Cover.
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