Jan. 29, 2023 - St. George Island Birds

Yesterday I took a long Gulf Coast walk on the beach at St. George Island State Park. I started before the sun was up because that’s when the morning high tide occurred. I was hoping to see Snowy Plovers and Piping Plovers, and my reasoning was that the birds would still be along the shore because their feeding spots would be under water until the tide was lower.

SunriseGeorgeIslandStatePark20230128

I was also hoping to get a photo of a bird flying in front of the rising sun. I didn’t quite do that, and this is the closest I could come.

SunriseGeorgeIslandStatePark20230128

I was almost certain to see some Ring-billed Gulls during my walk. They are in their non-breeding plumage right now. Soon the splotchy gray head feathers will be replaced, and they will have a gleaming white head again.

GullRingbilledGeorgeIslandStatePark20230128

This Ring-billed Gull flew by with some food in its mouth. It looks like a crab.

GullRingbilledflightwithfoodGeorgeIslandStatePark20230128

I always enjoy watching the Brown Pelicans fly along the coast. They are masters at finding the air currents that keep them floating just feet above the water.

PelicanBrownflightGeorgeIslandStatePark20230128

There were several Black-bellied Plovers on the beach. They are also in non-breeding plumage. They make a dramatic change when they attain their breeding plumage. True to their name, they will have a coal-black belly. They will also have a black chest, throat, and face.

PloverBlackbelliedGeorgeIslandStatePark20230128

Sanderlings are fun to watch as they scurry along the shore, chasing the waves as they come in and go out. This one must have been doing some digging, because it’s beak is covered with sand.

SanderlingGeorgeIslandStatePark20230128

Willets are another common sight along the shore.

WilletGeorgeIslandStatePark20230128

I didn’t get to see the Great Blue Heron, but these huge tracks are evidence that one was here not long ago. I didn’t see my target birds either, but that’s just a good excuse to take another long walk on the beach in the near future.

HeronGreatBluetracksGeorgeIslandStatePark20230128