Mesmerized by Shorebirds at Breach Inlet, Sullivan's Island, SC -- January 26, 2014

Black Skimmers and Ring-billed Gulls at Breech Inlet, Sullivan's Island, SC -- January 26, 2014

            After spending a day birding from the window and at the computer last Saturday, I was ready for a change of pace.  The eBird reports to which I subscribe had listed several birds that I wanted to add to my year list all within the Mount Pleasant & Sullivan's Island areas.  The most intriguing reports came from birders who had stopped at Breech Inlet with a sighting of 30 Purple Sandpipers!  Oh my word!  It is sometimes difficult to get just one Purple Sandpiper in our area.  Thirty of them!  Breech Inlet was definitely a stop on the itinerary for Sunday.

           I arrived at about noon on a rising tide.  Upon arrival, I noted immediately Savannah Sparrows in the brush near the parking area.

Savannah Sparrow -- Breach Inlet, Sullivans's Island, SC -- January 26, 2014

 
I also immediately noted a large flock of Laughing Gulls and Black Skimmers, all tucked-in ...

Click on the photo for a larger version -- Black Skimmers & Laughing Gulls -- Breach Inlet, Sullivans's Island, SC -- January 26, 2014

... as well as an abundance of Ring-billed Gulls, many of whom appeared to be looking for a handout.  The juveniles played chase across the shrubbery.   

Ring-billed Gulls -- Breach Inlet, Sullivans's Island, SC -- January 26, 2014

      The eBird reports had indicated that the desired birds, the Purple Sandpipers, would be on the first rock groin south of the bridge.  So after attempting to count the skimmers, I headed past the rock groin to look for the birds in good light.  And there they were!  About 16 (upon initial count) of them, along with multiple Ruddy Turnstones, some Willets and some Red Knots!  What a bounty!

Willets, Ruddy Turnstones, Purple Sandpipers, & Red Knots -- Breach Inlet, Sullivans's Island, SC -- January 26, 2014       Click on the photo for a larger version.

 

Willets, Ruddy Turnstones, Purple Sandpipers, & Red Knots -- Breach Inlet, Sullivans's Island, SC -- January 26, 2014       Click on the photo for a larger version.

       I could observe the birds at a decent range without disturbing them.  I hoped that if I stayed in one spot without moving much, that the incoming tide would push some of them closer for better photos.  As I waited, I was entertained by some closeby willets.

Willet --  Breach Inlet, Sullivans's Island, SC -- January 26, 2014      

Willet -- Breach Inlet, Sullivans's Island, SC -- January 26, 2014

         Then, to my delight, this guy showed up and swam towards me -- He came within 20 feet before turning away!  What a show-off!

Bottlenosed Dolphin -- Breach Inlet, Sullivans's Island, SC -- January 26, 2014

Bottlenosed Dolphin -- Breach Inlet, Sullivans's Island, SC -- January 26, 2014

Thank you, Mr. Bottlenosed Dolphin for being so cooperative!  They are hard to photograph unless the slow down and keep their heads up out of the water. 

         As the tide rose, more Ruddy Turnstones and a few more Purple Sandpipers flew in.  The rocks were becoming more slippery (even for a shorebird) and more crowded.

Willets, Ruddy Turnstones, Purple Sandpipers, & Red Knots -- Breach Inlet, Sullivans's Island, SC -- January 26, 2014

My opportunities for good shots increased as the tide rose.  I was completely mesmerized by the Purple Sandpipers -- thrilled to see SO many at one time and at relatively close range.  Due to my lack of movement, the birds became more accustomed to me and approached closer and closer.  It was thrilling to see and shoot them.  Clickety-click!  I could not stop taking pictures!  Now, you are going to see just how good it got!  Here are the best of the photos in the order they were taken.  

Red Knot arriving and settling among Ruddy Turnstones and Purple Sandpipers -- Breach Inlet, Sullivan's Island, SC       January 26, 2014

Purple Sandpiper --  Breach Inlet, Sullivans's Island, SC -- January 26, 2014

Willet -- Breach Inlet, Sullivans's Island, SC -- January 26, 2014

Sanderling -- Breach Inlet, Sullivans's Island, SC -- January 26, 2014

Ruddy Turnstone and Purple Sandpiper -- Breach Inlet, Sullivans's Island, SC -- January 26, 2014

Purple Sandpiper -- Breach Inlet, Sullivans's Island, SC -- January 26, 2014

Purple Sandpiper -- Breach Inlet, Sullivans's Island, SC -- January 26, 2014

A group of Ruddy Turnstones and Red Knots flew to the beach to bathe and a decent sized group of Purple Sandpipers joined them  I had never seen them ever leave a rock for the beach before. 

Ruddy Turnstone -- Breach Inlet, Sullivans's Island, SC -- January 26, 2014

Purple Sandpiper surrounded by Red Knots primarily -- Breach Inlet, Sullivans's Island, SC -- January 26, 2014

An altercation between two Purple Sandpipers -- Breach Inlet, Sullivans's Island, SC -- January 26, 2014

Ruddy Turnstones and a Red Knot -- Breach Inlet, Sullivans's Island, SC -- January 26, 2014

Purple Sandpiper -- After eating & bathing, comes sleeping! -- Breach Inlet, Sullivans's Island, SC -- January 26, 2014

Red Knot -- Breach Inlet, Sullivans's Island, SC -- January 26, 2014

A plump Purple Sandpiper -- Breach Inlet, Sullivans's Island, SC -- January 26, 2014

Inter-species co-mingling?  There's plenty of room on that rock! -- Purple Sandpiper and Ruddy Turnstone -- Breach Inlet, Sullivans's Island, SC -- January 26, 2014

Now how do they do that without shaking their whole bodies?  It seems he lost his beak!  -- Purple Sandpiper & Ruddy Turnstone -- Breach Inlet, Sullivans's Island, SC -- January 26, 2014

A good head shake cures everything!  -- Ruddy Turnstone -- Breach Inlet, Sullivans's Island, SC -- January 26, 2014

A group were still handing out on the beach -- Purple Sandpipers with Red Knots, Ruddy Turnstones & Willets -- Breach Inlet, Sullivans's Island, SC -- January 26, 2014  Click on the picture for a larger version. 

Black Skimmers & Ring-billed Gull -- Breach Inlet, Sullivans's Island, SC -- January 26, 2014

Purple Sandpipers -- more napping -- Breach Inlet, Sullivans's Island, SC -- January 26, 2014

Purple Sandpiper -- Breach Inlet, Sullivans's Island, SC -- January 26, 2014

Purple Sandpiper -- Breach Inlet, Sullivans's Island, SC -- January 26, 2014

Purple Sandpiper portrait -- Breach Inlet, Sullivans's Island, SC -- January 26, 2014

Purple Sandpiper -- Breach Inlet, Sullivans's Island, SC -- January 26, 2014

          OK, so maybe I have gone bit overboard for these delightful birds.  I spent 1.5 hours there on that little piece of beach observing and photographing the wildlife.  It certainly was the best part of my day.  I consider every moment of that time as fundamentally awesome!  I counted and reported 32 Purple Sandpipers but now I am wondering if I under-counted them.  When I made my final tally, I counted the group on the beach and the group on the rock at the time that I took this photo.  Take a look at it -- remember to click on it to get the larger version -- and you tell me how many Purple Sandpipers you see! 

Purple Sandpipers, Ruddy Turnstones, Red Knots & Willets -- Breach Inlet, Sullivans's Island, SC -- January 26, 2014

         I lose count every time I try!  It is almost like trying to estimate the number of jelly beans in a jar because you know some of them are hiding!  Have fun and tell me what you think!  Or, take a trip out to Breach Inlet and then tell me how many you see!