Ruddy Turnstones and Sanderlings at McKinley Beach

On 5/18, I started my day just past sunrise, walking around the golf course at Warnimont Park. I was searching for warblers, which I found 24 species in a few hours. While I was doing that, I had heard that there were Sanderlings, a Semipalmated Sandpiper and a Semipalmated Plover at McKinley Beach. I was not in a hurry to see those but figured that was a nice group to add for the year. After I walked the golf course, I decided that was enough and thought I would head downtown. I arrived at McKinley Beach, just after 10. I just grabbed my binoculars and left my camera in the car. I figured I would see what it was like before lugging everything out there. I walked out to the fence, started scanning the beach and found the Sanderlings. All of a sudden, a group of birds flew in. I got my binoculars on them, and it was 2 Marbled Godwit and 7 Ruddy Turnstones! Holy S***! I ran back to the car and got my camera setup. I quickly walked out there and tried to relocate everything. I found them all on the south side of the beach, except the Marbled Godwit. They were nowhere to be found. I guess it was just a very brief pit stop and away they went. They only stopped for a minute or two! I walked to the south end of the beach, so the sun was at my back, and sat in the sand, close to the water. The birds made their way to me and got so close, I had to take off my extender. As is usually the case with shorebirds, if you just sit close to the water and don’t move, they won’t pay attention to you. They continued closer, within the minimum focus distance of my lens. So, I just sat and watched them without taking pictures for a while. I think the Ruddy Turnstone, in full breeding plumage, is one of the most beautiful shorebirds! 3 of 7 were just that, so beautifully colored. I was so excited that they came flying in. The group of 7 only stuck around for 5 minutes or so. They fed, bathed and took off. When they took off, so did everything else, except the 4 Sanderling. The 4 Sanderling were very cool as well, since each one was in a different plumage. After everything took off, I stayed and photographed the Sanderling for a while before something spooked them. When they returned, they landed in the middle of the beach, and I didn’t feel like waiting for them again, so I took off. I just happened to arrive at the perfect time to get to see everything. Photos below are from the late morning of 5/18. Enjoy!

Ruddy Turnstone

Sanderling