#purple sandpiper

[richs-pics]

A purple sandpiper having a bath

[snailkites]

I realized on December 30th that 2023 would be the first year since I started birding in which I saw ZERO lifers.

Remedied that by driving to New Jersey on December 31st to see the long-staying Red-flanked Bluetail.

The little sweetums (trust me)

Then I thought, fuck it, I'm already in New Jersey, might as well hit Barnegat Light

If you've never been, it offers SPECTACULAR looks at winter waterfowl like Harlequin Duck, Long-tailed Duck, all three scoter species, occasional eiders, Red-throated Loon, Red-breasted Merganser, etc. All incredibly close to the jetty you walk out on. Purple Sandpiper and Ruddy Turnstone are practically underfoot.

[jadafitch]

Purple sandpiper sticker design for Maine Natural History Observatory

[birbmania]

Indian River Inlet, Delaware on 12/31/23 one of my favorite things to see at beaches = smol shorebirds challenging beeg waves

[honey-grass]

🪽 Purple sandpiper (Calidris maritima)

🌅 Cuxhaven, Germany

[orca-in-disguise]

Bird behavior meme. For the sillies

[blogbirdfeather]

Purple Sandpiper - Pilrito-escuro (Calidris maritima)

Oeiras/Portugal (10/01/2024)

[Nikon D850; AF-S Nikkor 500mm F5,6E PF ED VR with Nikon AF-S TC-14E III; 1/640s; F8; 500 ISO]

[dansnaturepictures]

19/03/2024-Radipole Lake and Portland

Photos taken in this set are of; views at both on a blustery day, beautiful Purple Sandpipers at Portland it was a pleasure to see this stunning group of birds my first of the year a precious species, Great Black-backed Gull at Portland, bluebells at Radipole perhaps my first of the year and perhaps the earliest I've ever seen this iconic flower in a year, Alexanders and Mute Swan at Radipole, the gorgeous and rustic sight of the Little Owl in the quarry at Portland my first of the year and what an honour to see one here again I love watching this bird, some of my first scurvygrass of the year one of the few flowers braving the headland at Portland Bill and my first cow parsley of the year at Radipole.

I also enjoyed seeing my first Sand Martins - bat like birds flitting through the air it's such a key moment of spring when the hirundines return - and possibly cukooflower of the year at Radipole and my first Razorbills, Shag and Gannet of the year and my first ever yellow field cap mushrooms at Portland as my bird year list soared to 149 the second highest one of my year lists has been at on this date in a year behind last year. Reed Bunting, Mediterranean Gull and Marsh Harrier at Radipole, Rock Pipit and Oystercatcher at Portland and Skylark seen from the car travelling between the two and primroses, bee and turkey tail fungi at Radipole were other highlights on an unforgettable day to bring to end my patch of leave around the weekend. A brilliant and packed few wild days.

[na-bird-of-the-day]

BOTD: Purple Sandpiper

Photo: Ron Knight

"Seemingly adapted to tough conditions is this stout, short-legged sandpiper. It winters farther north on the Atlantic Coast than any other shorebird, and its chosen habitat is on coastal rocks pounded by the surf. When an especially large wave hits the rocks, the lowest birds in a flock may simply hop or flutter up far enough to evade the incoming water. Few birders ever see this species on its remote breeding grounds in the Canadian high arctic."

- Audubon Field Guide

[besidethepath]

In memory of Gray-Card’s Year End Top 5 Photo Extravaganza. 

This entry is a little fake: I have chosen five of my favourite images that I have not posted. I took them all during a rehabilitation session in March at the Baltic Sea.

- The inspection - Hide and seek - The swarm - Fluff ball - Beach patrol

Many thanks @luxlit for hosting!

[katyunderthebed]

purple friends

[richs-pics]

Purple sandpiper: between rocks

[antiqueanimals]

The Quizzer Book of Knowledge: Nature. Written and edited by George Beal. 1978.

Internet Archive

[jdibe22686]

Hancock

[ceruleanvulpine]

huge respect to @myxinidaes for reblogging that post with 100 birds

[aquatic-batt]

BIRDS??? (and an alligator) YEAH BABY WE WENT ON A BIRD TRIP YESTERDAY AND SAW SO MANY COOL FRIENDS

BONUS VIDEO OF THE ROUGH WING