The Surfbird (Calidrus virgata) is considered a rarity in my neck of the woods. But they’ve been showing up regularly every winter on the Edmonds marina breakwater since about 2014. They prefer rocky shores where they forage for intertidal invertebrates, especially bivalve and gastropod mollusks, and barnacles, which they swallow whole. There aren’t many rocky shorelines along Puget Sound except for a few human-created structures like the Edmonds breakwater.
THE DAILY BUCKET IS A NATURE REFUGE. WE AMICABLY DISCUSS ANIMALS, WEATHER, CLIMATE, SOIL, PLANTS, WATERS AND NOTE LIFE’S PATTERNS.
WE INVITE YOU TO NOTE WHAT YOU ARE SEEING AROUND YOU IN YOUR OWN PART OF THE WORLD, AND TO SHARE YOUR OBSERVATIONS IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.
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I’m not what you’d consider an avid birder and don’t generally chase after rarities unless they’re nearby. When I do, often I strike out. Saturday morning, rather than waste time in front of the computer, I got with it and drove down to the Edmonds Fishing Pier, like 10 minutes to drive there. I knew from reports that the Surfbirds had arrived. And so there they were, a couple Surfbirds doing their thing, foraging on the breakwater rocks, right at the waterline . They move quickly and purposefully.
Some cool things I read about the Surfbird in Cornell’s Birds of the World:
The Surfbird's winter range is among the longest and narrowest of any North American breeding bird. During the boreal winter, Surfbirds are found from Kodiak Island, Alaska, to the Strait of Magellan, Chile, a distance of over17,500 km, and the winter range extends inland only a few meters above the tideline. Outside the breeding season, this species is confined almost entirely to rocky coastal shores, where it feeds on mollusks and other intertidal prey, often amid the splash and spray of incoming waves; hence its name.
Highly migratory, almost entirely along Pacific Coast of the Americas. Few inland sightings. Flocks of coastal migrants often number in hundreds. Only in Prince William Sound and nearby Kachemak Bay, AK, apparently last migration stop overs before dispersal to breeding sites, are thousands consistently recorded.
Habitat in Breeding Range
Limited to areas of dry, frequently stony, alpine tundra, characterized by lichens, dwarf shrubs, mountain avens (Dryas spp.), and scree or rock fields. Less commonly, moss or sedge is component of habitat. At most sites, occupies habitat on summits and upper slopes of steep ridges.
Habitat in Migration
Rocky seacoasts, especially wave-beaten intertidal rocky shores, ledges, reefs, and pinnacles. Often found in spray zone at and above tide line. Also sheltered rocky shores in bays and on islands (e.g., in Prince William Sound, AK). Sometimes on sandy beaches associated with rocky areas and on intertidal mudflats
It’s a surf bucket, so ...
"SPOTLIGHT ON GREEN NEWS & VIEWS" IS POSTED EVERY SATURDAY AT 3:00 PM PACIFIC TIME ON THE DAILY KOS FRONT PAGE. IT'S A GREAT WAY TO CATCH UP ON DIARIES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED. BE SURE TO RECOMMEND AND COMMENT IN THE DIARY. |
Now It's Your Turn
What have you noted happening in your area or travels? As usual post your observations as well as their general location in the comments.
Discussion questions (not required):
Do you chase after rare birds reported in your proximity?
What is seasonally rare or endemic in your area, if anything?
What’s the coolest rare thing you’ve seen?
Thank you.