Wave-Hopping Bonaparte's Gulls and more .... from January 2015

Bonaparte's Gulls -- Huntington Beach State Park -- January 25, 2015

               Yes, way back when, in January of this year, during a fabulous trip to Huntington Beach State Park, I observed and photographed some Bonaparte's Gulls wave-hopping as they were feeding -- just making little "bunny" hops over the low waves close to shore.  This is one of many feeding techniques, according to Birds of North America, in which this species engages.  It looks like fun when you think of how, as kids, we liked to run and jump over waves, too!  I know that I certainly had fun watching and photographing the birds in action.

Bonaparte's Gulls -- Huntington Beach State Park -- January 25, 2015

Bonaparte's Gulls -- Huntington Beach State Park -- January 25, 2015

Bonaparte's Gulls -- Huntington Beach State Park -- January 25, 2015

Bonaparte's Gulls -- Huntington Beach State Park -- January 25, 2015

Bonaparte's Gulls -- Huntington Beach State Park -- January 25, 2015

        Of course, we did not go the Huntington Beach State Park just to see Bonaparte's Gulls bunny-hopping over waves.  And, it goes without saying that any trip to this park for birding is fabulous.  It is the premier hotspot for South Carolina!  Since it often hosts some winter rarities, it makes for a great destination in January when you are trying to build your New Year's list.  This is exactly what Pam Ford, Aija Konrad and I were thinking that weekend back in January.  Carl and Ed Konrad joined us as well.  And indeed, we garnered 75 species for the day!  The photos below show some of the species we found.

First, we had a beautiful flyover of White Ibis at daybreak.

White Ibis -- Huntington Beach State Park -- January 25, 2015

 

Then, having recently learned a bill-tip clue for identifying Lesser Scaup (vs. Greater Scaup). I took the opportunity to photograph at close range these calm Lessers.  The dark "nail" tip marking on the Lesser's bill is skinny whereas it is quite wide on the Greater.

Lesser Scaup -- Huntington Beach State Park -- January 25, 2015

Lesser Scaup -- Huntington Beach State Park -- January 25, 2015

Lesser Scaup -- Huntington Beach State Park -- January 25, 2015

Pied-billed Grebes are so darn cute -- I cannot resist photographing them.

Pied-billed Grebe -- Huntington Beach State Park -- January 25, 2015

           In the early morning light, we were quite delighted to find a female Common Goldeneye -- not often found in South Carolina!  She was rather distant and this was the best shot that I could manage.

Common Goldeneye -- Huntington Beach State Park -- January 25, 2015

On that cold morning, a group of Ruddy Ducks were in no hurry to greet the warming rays of the day.

Ruddy Ducks -- Huntington Beach State Park -- January 25, 2015

Walking along the beach to the North Jetty, we spotted this Peregrine Falcon!

Peregrine Falcon -- Huntington Beach State Park -- January 25, 2015

On the jetty, we found the very rare Ipswich subspecies of the rather common Savannah Sparrow.  Knowing that birds return to the same place year after year, we assume that this is the same individual as last year's Ipswich.

Ipswich subspecies of Savannah Sparrow -- Huntington Beach State Park -- January 25, 2015

 Ipswich sub-species of the Savannah Sparrow -- Huntington Beach State Park -- February 16, 2014

One of our target species for the jetty was the Long-tailed Duck!  We found 2 of them. 

Long-tailed Duck (male) -- Huntington Beach State Park -- January 25, 2015

Long-tailed Duck (female) -- Huntington Beach State Park -- January 25, 2015

Long-tailed Duck (male) -- Huntington Beach State Park -- January 25, 2015

Though we have no photos to share, I were able to find through the scope the adult male Common Eider in his gloriously beautiful plumage!  Sadly, he was too distant for my long lens. 

For awhile, we debated the identity of this immature scoter who was hanging out in the inlet.

White-winged Scoter -- Huntington Beach State Park -- January 25, 2015

He finally gave us a brief glimpse of the white feathers in his wings so that we could ID him as a White-winged Scoter.

Heads tucked in for a snooze, we found this mix of shorebirds down the inlet -- Willets, Red Knots, Short-billed Dowitchers. 

Willets, Short-billed Dowitchers, Red Knots -- Huntington Beach State Park -- January 25, 2015

In a quick trip to Sandpiper Pond, we found Bufflehead (not pictured) more Lesser Scaup and Ring-necked Ducks.  Ring-necked ducks are similar in plumage to the Lesser Scaup but are easily distinguished by their bills.  You can see in the photo below that the Ring-necked Duck has a very  visible white ring around its bill.

Ring-necked Duck and the similar Lesser Scaup -- Huntington Beach State Park -- January 25, 2015

Finally, before leaving, while Carl napped in the car and Ed & Aija went on another excursion, Pam and I strolled the Kerrigan Nature Trail and the Carriage Way.  There, we found our last great bird of the day, this delightful and relatively cooperative Black and White Warbler!

Black and White Warbler -- Huntington Beach State Park -- January 25, 2015

Black and White Warbler -- Huntington Beach State Park -- January 25, 2015

           Another great day of birding with wonderful birding buddies at Huntington Beach State Park!
This place never disappoints a birder!  Thank you Ed for the photo of our birding trio!  I will treasure my memories of the birds seen and of the fabulous company kept that day.

Cathy Miller, Aija Konrad and Pam Ford --  Huntington Beach State Park -- January 25, 2015