Shorebirds at OBX

I’ve had a lot of fun trying to capture shorebirds around the Outer Banks in the past month, but many times it was quite challenging trying to ID them in their non-breeding plumage, especially if shot at a distance.

Those interested in a great shorebird ID book, I recommend “The Shorebird Guide” (O’Brien, Crossley, Karlson). Also any help you can obtain from a pro-birder is a plus. (thanks HJ! Avian101)

Now on with the shorebirds. (And three new lifers for me!)

Killdeer (a plover)

Semipalmated Plover

Black-bellied Plover

American Golden-Plover

Herring Gull (juvenile)

Forster’s Tern

Sanderling

Least Sandpiper (new lifer #215)

Stilt Sandpipers (new lifer #216)

Greater Yellowlegs

Long-billed Dowitcher (new lifer #217)

Marbled Godwits and Willets

Close-up Marbled Godwits (pink/black bills) and Willets

Marbled Godwits and Lesser Yellowlegs

And finally, a funny shot of a Sanderling kicking sand, chasing another away from his little area.

Sanderlings – “This is my beach turf!”

Tags: American Golden Plover, birding, Birds, birdwatching, Black-bellied Plover, caspian tern, dowitcher, greater yellowlegs, Herring Gull juvenile, killdeer, Least Sandpiper, lesser yellowlegs, Long-billed Dowitcher, Marbled Godwit, North Carolina, OBX, Outer Banks, photography, photos, plover, Plovers, Sanderlings, Semipalmated Plover, shore birds, Stilt Sandpiper, wildlife, Willets, Yellowlegs

44 thoughts on “Shorebirds at OBX”

Hans Wikström on 11/02/2020 at 2:07 AM said:

A good work with all the plovers, they are not easy, chasing around all the time.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 11/02/2020 at 7:39 AM said:
  
  Thank you, Hans! Yes, they do ‘run’ from you! 😉
  
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The Hinoeuma on 11/02/2020 at 2:17 AM said:

Goodness. The lifer list grows. They are all cute, cute birds. I like the pinkish bills and the yellow legs. You go, girl!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 11/02/2020 at 7:40 AM said:
  
  Thanks Vic! You have fine-lookin’ birds in your state! 🙂
  
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  - The Hinoeuma on 11/02/2020 at 3:07 PM said:
    
    We do have some cuties! ❤
    
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Alittlebitoutoffocus on 11/02/2020 at 3:13 AM said:

So many different birds and all great shots! Congratulations Donna.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 11/02/2020 at 7:53 AM said:
  
  Thank you, Mike!
  
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neihtn2012 on 11/02/2020 at 6:44 AM said:

All fabulous shots of so many shorebirds!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 11/02/2020 at 7:55 AM said:
  
  Thank you, Hien! They were every where, and I know I ‘missed’ some cool ones. 😉
  
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Barbara Rodgers on 11/02/2020 at 6:54 AM said:

Wow! Amazing pictures! We saw a killdeer family here in June but they were chasing their three chicks around so much that it was impossible to get a good picture. I love the one you got. I’ve never seen a greater yellowlegs before, love that picture, too. Thank you for the visual treat today. 🙂

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- bayphotosbydonna on 11/02/2020 at 7:57 AM said:
  
  Thank you very much, Barbara! How lucky to see a Killdeer family, I always think the little chicks look like cotton balls on stilts. 😊 And yellowlegs truly do live up to their name!
  
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  - Barbara Rodgers on 11/02/2020 at 8:25 AM said:
    
    So true, the little chicks did look like cotton balls on stilts! 🙂
    
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Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography on 11/02/2020 at 8:08 AM said:

Really nice you were able to include so many species. Great series.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 11/02/2020 at 4:15 PM said:
  
  Thanks Ted! It was fun to see what I could find AND identify in a few weeks. 🙂
  
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Jyothi on 11/02/2020 at 9:01 AM said:

Awesome clicks.. as always 🙂

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- bayphotosbydonna on 11/02/2020 at 4:15 PM said:
  
  Thank you, Jyothi! 🙂
  
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susanhale828gmailcom on 11/02/2020 at 9:32 AM said:

Donna, these are fantastic! Kudos to you for seeing AND identifying so many different shorebirds. I’ll have to check out that bird book. Anytime I take photos of shorebirds they all look so similar that I give up trying to ID many of them. You’ve done your homework AND gotten some great pictures. Thanks for sharing!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 11/02/2020 at 4:16 PM said:
  
  Thanks, Susan! It’s a little work but rewarding when you can positively ID a new lifer with a photo to prove it! 🙂
  
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Reed Andariese on 11/02/2020 at 9:43 AM said:

Beautiful series of images Donna! Enjoyed seeing them!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 11/02/2020 at 4:17 PM said:
  
  Thank you, Reed!
  
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blhphotoblog on 11/02/2020 at 10:59 AM said:

Another three, no stopping you now! Strangely those three I’ve seen over here but there is some in your shots I would love to get on my list.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 11/02/2020 at 4:19 PM said:
  
  Thanks, Brian! 💃 We see others and just dream of seeing for ourselves, just once, I know what you mean!
  
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Isabel F. Bernaldo de Quirós on 11/02/2020 at 4:01 PM said:

A good sample of the shorebirds, Donna. Thanks for sharing!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 11/02/2020 at 4:21 PM said:
  
  Thank you, Isabel, it was fun trying to see how many I could collect. 🙂
  
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belindagroverphotography on 11/02/2020 at 4:18 PM said:

I love the Caspian Tern with it’s slicked back do 😊. All impressive, Donna!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 11/03/2020 at 7:15 AM said:
  
  Cool dude! 😉 hehe
  Thank you, Belinda!
  
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aussiebirder on 11/02/2020 at 5:10 PM said:

All beautiful captures Donna, you are certainly having a shorebird feast !

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- bayphotosbydonna on 11/03/2020 at 7:17 AM said:
  
  Thank you, Ashley! There were so many, I loved a spot I found to get closer to some of them. 🙂
  
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H.J. for avian101 on 11/02/2020 at 5:22 PM said:

It’s obvious that you’ve just hit the mother load! Three lifers!!!
All kidding aside, congratulations my good friend Donna. Great captures all. 🙂

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- bayphotosbydonna on 11/03/2020 at 7:19 AM said:
  
  Thank you, HJ! Including your help on IDing, my friend!! 😊
  
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  - H.J. for avian101 on 11/03/2020 at 3:25 PM said:
    
    I meant to write: “motherlode”
    
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jkaybay on 11/02/2020 at 5:34 PM said:

Hey Donna,
I have a new site for those who want to buy ethical products on a budget. Please check it out if you get a chance!
Thanks!
J
https://ethicalbargains.org/

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- bayphotosbydonna on 11/03/2020 at 7:20 AM said:
  
  Thanks!
  
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tootlepedal on 11/02/2020 at 6:38 PM said:

Another fine selection of treats for your readers. Thank you.

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- bayphotosbydonna on 11/03/2020 at 7:20 AM said:
  
  Thank you, Tom, for your visits and comments!
  
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Eliza Waters on 11/02/2020 at 8:33 PM said:

Impressive photos and IDs, Donna. I’m hopeless at IDing many birds, like shore birds and warblers. My attention to detail is sadly lacking!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 11/03/2020 at 7:24 AM said:
  
  Thank you, Eliza! I still a ‘learner’ too, so many can look so much alike; in a fleeting moment I don’t know how one can ID them either without a photo! 🙂
  
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T Ibara Photo on 11/03/2020 at 8:31 AM said:

I love all of them! I am very happy you could see and photograph some lifers too! ❤

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- bayphotosbydonna on 11/03/2020 at 6:10 PM said:
  
  Thank you, Takami! 💃 It was exciting to see new birds and take on the challenge of capturing them!
  
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circadianreflections on 11/03/2020 at 9:51 AM said:

Say what you will about 2020 being nuts, but it’s been a stellar birding year for you! Congratulations on the new Lifers!

The images are beautiful!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 11/03/2020 at 6:13 PM said:
  
  Thank you, Deborah! 💃 We have been fortunate to travel while staying safe, and setting up in this location for migration to funnel through was very cool!
  
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Tofino Photography on 11/04/2020 at 12:18 AM said:

your a true birder Donna!

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- bayphotosbydonna on 11/04/2020 at 7:17 AM said:
  
  Thanks, Wayne!
  
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Gunta on 11/09/2020 at 4:04 PM said:

Will I EVER get caught up on blog visiting??? Seems I fell behind this past month or so, making catch up (ketchup?) rather difficult. Shorebirds are definite favorites around here, too! I’m glad I didn’t miss out on this post. I truly enjoyed it! ❤

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