September is an exciting time for shorebird watching in Pinellas County. Southbound birds are moving through Florida, while other species are beginning to settle in for the winter. Different species arrive at different times, so the birds you see can change from week to week. By September, fall migration is well underway. At Fort De Soto, the fall migration period generally extends from August through November. Weather, tides, habitat and individual species all influence what you see on any given visit.
What Is Shorebird Migration?
Many shorebirds that migrate through Florida breed in the Arctic and subarctic regions of North America. After breeding, they travel south to wintering areas ranging from the southern United States through the Caribbean, Central America and South America.
Florida’s Gulf Coast provides important habitat where migrating and wintering birds can feed and rest. Beaches, tidal flats, estuaries and other shallow coastal areas provide valuable feeding and resting habitat. Fort De Soto and nearby coastal areas are important birding locations and stopover habitat.
Migration does not happen on one fixed schedule. Some adults begin moving south relatively early, while young birds may follow later. Weather can also affect when birds appear and how many are present.
Who’s Passing Through?
Sanderlings are among the most familiar Gulf Coast shorebirds. These small, pale sandpipers run along the waterline, often in tight groups, feeding in the wet sand.
Least Sandpipers are tiny shorebirds with yellowish legs. They often occur alongside other small sandpipers, commonly called “peeps,” making identification a fun challenge for birders.
Short-billed Dowitchers can be found feeding on tidal flats. Their rapid probing motion, often compared to a sewing machine, makes them especially recognizable.
Black-bellied Plovers are larger plovers that become regular visitors during migration and winter. Semipalmated Plovers are smaller and can often be found among mixed shorebird flocks.
Willets can occur year-round, with additional birds arriving from northern breeding areas for the winter. Their bold black-and-white wing pattern is especially noticeable in flight.
Dunlin become more noticeable as fall progresses and remain through winter. Whimbrels, with their long, downcurved bills, pass through in smaller numbers. American Oystercatchers are large, distinctive shorebirds with bright orange-red bills and can occur here for much of the year.
Recent eBird reports are one of the best ways to find out what is currently being seen in Pinellas County.
Fort De Soto Park
Fort De Soto is one of the region’s best-known birding locations. Its beaches, sheltered shorelines, wetlands and other coastal habitats provide valuable habitat for migrating and resident birds.
Tide timing matters. Low tide is often best for watching birds feed, because it exposes additional feeding areas. High tide can be better for finding birds gathered at roosting sites while feeding habitat is covered.
Check posted signs and barriers, particularly around nesting and roosting areas.
How to watch responsibly
Give shorebirds plenty of space. If birds repeatedly move away from you, you are too close. Avoid walking through flocks or between birds and the water, and give resting birds an especially wide berth.
Keep pets away from nesting and resting areas, and always respect posted protection areas. Pinellas County’s seabird nesting season runs through August 31, but shorebirds continue to need safe, undisturbed habitat throughout fall migration.
Getting started
You do not need expensive equipment to enjoy shorebirding. Binoculars, a field guide and the free eBird Mobile app are enough to get started. Check recent local sightings before heading out, then slow down and pay attention.
September offers a wonderful opportunity to experience shorebird migration in Pinellas County. As birds move along our beaches and tidal flats, the mix can change from day to day.
Help protect the birds and coastal habitats that make Pinellas County special. Donate to MAR today and support our conservation, education and community programs.
