Why are beaches great places to watch birds?
Beaches aren’t just about sunbathing and swimming. They’re actually dynamic ecosystems, playing host to a huge variety of birds, which makes them ideal locations for birdwatching. Beaches offer unique opportunities to observe birds in their natural environment. You can see them foraging for food, nesting, and interacting with each other.
But what exactly is a “beach bird?” There’s a distinction between seabirds and shorebirds, and it’s important to know the difference. Seabirds, like gulls and terns, spend most of their lives at sea, only coming to shore to breed. Shorebirds, on the other hand, such as sandpipers and plovers, are often found along the water’s edge, probing the sand for invertebrates.
In this article, we’ll explore the different types of beach bird you might encounter, offer tips for identifying them, and discuss some of the conservation concerns facing these fascinating creatures.