#purplesandpiper — Public Fediverse posts

Some photos of Purple Pipers at Jones Beach, NY, last Saturday (Feb. 28).

Unusually there were dozens if not more of these shorebirds present, and not only on their favored rocky habitats, but running around on the beach in multitudes with Sanderlings and Dunlins. I suspect the intense cold and snow storms we've had over the past two months affected their food supply on the jetties, leading them to forage with their cousins. These birds nest in the Arctic tundra and overwinter in our middle latitudes. In a sense, by favoring the expansion of the polar vortex, climate change was bringing the Arctic conditions they migrate away from right to them.
#birds #birding #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #biodiversity #naturephotography #wildlifephotography #winterbirds #shorebirds #peeps #PurpleSandpiper

These Sanderlings and a Purple Sandpiper are not BFFs, but rather a nice example of niche partitioning, which can occur when two species with overlapping ecological niches share a habitat. These two small members of the Sandpiper genus Calidris are similarly sized, have similar body forms and similar dietary preferences for small invertebrates. However, Sanderlings are generalist feeders, adapting to a large range of food resources, which allows them to overwinter in this area (they can really boogie down when a large horseshoe crab carcass washes ashore in midwinter). They move around in large flocks, although they may disperse while feeding. They generally seem to prefer foraging on sandy beaches, where they seem to perform the Macarena at the surf-line. But, they are not reticent about feeding in other seashore habitats.

Purple Sandpipers seem to be more solitary in their foraging, although they will move around in small groups. They are also more specialized, foraging on small inverts living among the algae growing on rocky jetties and the like. They may be observed scurrying around jetties, completely undeterred by vertical rock faces, which they negotiate with the skill of Spiderman, with their big yellow feet, flexible toes and great coordination.

So, this group of Sanderlings found a pleasant lunch spot on these rocks. On the horizontal rock faces, they enjoy a competitive advantage over their Purple cousin, who accompanied them (possibly got some protection in the group), but fed on the vertical surfaces.

#birds #birding #birdphotography #birdsofmastodon #biodiversity #naturephotography #wildlife #ecology #Calidridae #Sanderlings #PurpleSandpiper

If you ever get the chance to go out with Dave on Kellys' Hero (from #Brixham), take it. This morning's three hour trip around Lyme Bay had good weather, great company and some fine wildlife. Bottnose Dolphin, Harbour Porpoise, Grey Seal, Purple Sandpiper, Great Northern Diver and a pair of Peregrine. Three hours well spent.

#BoatTrip #Devon #KellysHero #wildlife #birds #birding #PurpleSandpiper #LymeBay #TorBay #Paignton

📷 Female and male #Peregrine
📷 Purple Sandpiper

Absolutely delighted to discover during today's frosty #2minutebeachclean that we have a #purplesandpiper joining us at #Overstrand this winter... 4 years in a row now😍
#Norfolk #wader @RSPBEngland @RSPB