How to Watch Shorebirds in the Fall

Shorebirds are among the earliest of fall migrants. Knowing where and when to find them is the key to successful shorebirding.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Maps
• Travel Guides
• Binoculars
• Binoculars
• Maps

1. Buy a good field guide to shorebirds.

2. Invest in a good spotting scope. Scopes are invaluable for close-focusing on and identifying shorebirds.

3. Read about the migration patterns of shorebirds. Look for information on when they migrate and which route they will take.

4. Study shorebird habitats. For example, the Wandering Tattler prefers the rocky coast, while the Sandering feeds on sandy beaches.

5. Familiarize yourself with fall plumage changes. For example, the Red Knot loses its chestnut coloration in late fall and winter.

6. Frequent sewage treatment plants near migration routes. Settling ponds generally offer rich feeding grounds for migrating shorebirds and are often the best places to find them.

7. Contact your local Audubon Society chapter or birding club and find out about field trips scheduled to see shorebirds. Most are free and beginners are welcome.

8. Plan a fall trip to a shorebird "hotspot" such as the California coast, Cape May, NJ, the Quivara National Wildlife Refuge and Cheyenne Bottoms in Kansas or the New England coast.

9. Search birding magazines for fall birding festivals that emphasize shorebirds. For example, Arcata, CA has an annual Godwit Days festival each August.

10. Find a birding tour group that schedules guided trips to see shorebirds in fall, if you're not confident in your birding abilities.

Tips & Warnings

• In fall, most shorebirds migrate from north to south along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, or across the Gulf of Mexico.
• Although some species of shorebirds molt into drabber winter plumage, even these may retain some of their breeding plumage during fall migration.
• Before birding at a sewage treatment plant, check in at the office and get permission. Also ask about restrictions, if any, and respect the wishes of plant personnel.
• Magazines with helpful birding information include Birder's World, and Birding, a publication of the American Birding Association.

on 11/22/2005 If you're not from the area where you're birdwatching, make sure you understand the weather on the shore - and dress warmly enough! You don't want to cut your time short because you're too cold!