One of the interesting birds I encountered at Huntington Beach SP last weekend was a flock of Short and Long billed Dowitchers.
Dowitchers are generally autumn and spring migratory visitors to the Carolinas however a few non-breeding adults may spend the entire year in our coastal counties.
Often spotted looking for a snack on mudflats, they are medium sized shorebirds with plump bodies sporting a pleasing pattern of golden brown spotted and barred plumage.

Right now it’s feeding time as they are fattening up, packing in the calories needed in preparation for their departure to their breeding grounds in Alaska and Canada.
Dowitchers use their long bills to probe into the mud in (reminiscent of a sewing pattern as seen trailing behind in the second photo)to find a meal. Their diet consists of marine worms, small invertebrates, crustaceans, horseshoe crab eggs and insects.
There’s a frenzy of activity going on as the birds squabble over catches but luckily here at Huntington, plenty of worms are available for all.

The majority of Long and Short-billed Dowitchers will soon head north once they’ve put on enough weight.
Look for Short bill’s in saltwater and brackish water habitats and Long billed in fresh and brackish water habitats for another few weeks.
Hopefully you’ll get to enjoy some time watching these elegant travelers too before summer begins!

Photos & video by @sally_siko of @bestlife_birding on my mighty mirrorless monster, the @canonusa #R5