Naturally Kiawah Magazine Volume 38 | Page 44

American Oystercatcher
Black Skimmer Dunlin

Kiawah ’ s Shorebirds by the Month

By Aaron Given

American Oystercatcher

Black Skimmer Dunlin

Description Large shorebird . Brown above , white below . Large bill is black with a red base . Status Migratory . Breeder . Fairly common year-round . Habitat Beach , especially on east and west ends , rivers , and tidal creeks . Fun Fact Specializes in feeding on bivalves . Uses needle-like bill to severe muscle that holds shell closed .
Description Medium seabird . Black above , white below with a black head . Long , bright orange bill and eye-ring . Status Migratory . Breeder . Fairly common year-round . Habitat Beach , ponds near ocean , tidal creeks . Fun Fact Feeds primarily at dusk and dawn ( sometimes at night ) by skimming the surface of the water with an open bill .
Description Small- to medium-sized shorebird . Light gray above , white below in winter . Upper parts reddish with black belly in spring . Long black bill with a slight droop . Status Migratory . Very common during the winter . Habitat Beach , mudflats , tidal pools . Fun Fact Often seen roosting on beach in large numbers in winter .
January February March
American Oystercatcher
Common
American Oystercatcher
Common
American Oystercatcher
Common
Black Skimmer
Common
Black Skimmer
Common
Black Skimmer
Common
Dunlin
Abundant
Dunlin
Abundant
Dunlin
Common
Least Tern
Not found
Least Tern
Not found
Least Tern
Uncommon
Piping Plover
Uncommon
Piping Plover
Uncommon
Piping Plover
Common
Red Knot
Rare
Red Knot
Rare
Red Knot
Common
Royal Tern
Uncommon
Royal Tern
Uncommon
Royal Tern
Uncommon
Sanderling
Uncommon
Sanderling
Uncommon
Sanderling
Common
Semipalmated Plover
Abundant
Semipalmated Plover
Abundant
Semipalmated Plover
Abundant
Whimbrel
Not found
Whimbrel
Not found
Whimbrel
Rare
Willet
Uncommon
Willet
Uncommon
Willet
Common
Wilson ’ s Plover
Uncommon
Wilson ’ s Plover
Uncommon
Wilson ’ s Plover
Common
42 Naturally Kiawah