Shorebirds have been migrating south and my stop this morning at McKinley Beach gave nice looks at 3 species of them. Ruddy Turnstones, Semipalmated Plovers and Semipalmated Sandpipers were present. I also saw a Sanderling but by the time I got over to it walkers unknowingly flushed it out over the water. Along the beach shorebirds are typically moving fast, zigzagging up and down the beach area, back and forth along the water edge up to where the waves stop. It really all depends upon where they are finding things to eat. These birds also flip over small pieces of wood and other things with their bills finding things to eat. It was a beautiful mid morning on the lakefront with pleasant temps around 65 degrees, light winds and partly cloudy skies. Images were taken on August 29, 2025.
Ruddy Turnstone
Ruddy Turnstone
Semipalmated Sandpiper
Semipalmated Plover
Semipalmated Plover
Ruddy Turnstone flipping over a piece of something looking for things to eat.
Semipalmated Plover
Ruddy Turnstone with what looks like a mosquito but probably not…
Semipalmated Sandpiper
A Ruddy Turnstone walking right to me at this point…
Gorgeous shots, Jim! Ruddy Turnstone is one of my favorite shorebirds because of its descriptive name.
Nice, really nice. Really like shorebirds. Great photos as usual.