Birds of the Sargassum - The Shorebirds

Short-billed Dowitcher & a Semipalmated Sandpiper among the mountain of seaweed 

The Sargassum Seaweed invasion this year is terrible! I cannot remember the last time I saw so much seaweed on the shores.  Some of our famous white sandy beaches along the south and east coast are now covered with this gold and brown plant matter, and the stench from the rotting plant can be detected from miles away.  Over the last few years though, I've come to realize that this scourge to our shores has provided a much-needed food supply for birds, especially migratory shorebirds, and there is no better place to witness this than at Inch Marlow and Long Beach, Christ Church.  Between 2018 and now, I have seen about fifteen shorebird species at these locations feeding among the seaweed, and a tremendous amount of birds especially when bad weather is amidst.  Even though it is still early in the shorebird migration season nine species have already been detected there.  

There were:

1. Semipalmated Plover - Charadrius semipalmatus
2. Ruddy Turnstone - Arenaria interpres
3. Whimbrel - Numenius phaeopus
4. Least Sandpiper - Calidris minutilla
5. Semipalmated Sandpiper - Calidris pusilla
6. Short-billed Dowitcher - Limnodromus griseus
7. Spotted Sandpiper - Actitis macularius
8. White-rumped Sandpiper - Calidris fuscicollis
9. Red Knot -  Calidris canutus

Click here for images

A Semipalmated Sandpiper disturbing the swarm of  flies attracted to the seaweed 

What are these birds finding to eat you may wonder.  While at sea, the Sargassum rafts provide housing and protection for various species of crustaceans, small fish, and even fish eggs.  Some are trapped in the seaweed as it comes ashore providing an easy meal for these birds.  Another food source presents itself as the seaweed rots.  It attracts flies, who lay eggs in the weed, which quickly becomes lava and a score of valuable protein for these migrants. 

There is no doubt that the Sargassum invasion is a menace to our beaches, beach life, and those living close to the sea but it is good to see a positive from it - providing a much-needed food source for this declining family of birds as there make their treacherous journey south.  If you get a chance go take a look at them feeding at Inch Marlow and Long Beach.

Shorebirds are not the only family of birds that take advantage of this food supply. As the weeks go on I will highlight a few more.

Stay safe and enjoy your birding!