Shoreline Transition

Over the winter months the most engaging wildlife observations on Halibut Point drew us to the shoreline. Now suddenly the ocean offers only the thinnest of bird-watching possibilities. But there have been noteworthy sights during the Spring transition.

Blue-winged Teal pair in Folly Cove (May 2)

Most waterfowl migrate to raise their young in the relative safety and brief abundance of the northern latitudes. During spring we sometimes see transients on the way through, such as this pair of Blue-winged Teal.

Common Loon (May 19)

Some birds like the Common Loon that have wintered here in drab plumage re-feather themselves into connubial attire before their seasonal departure.

Red-breasted Mergansers (April 21)
three males and a female

Male mergansers look and act more vivid in preparation for mating pursuits that begin locally and carry them to sub-Arctic tundra regions.

One of our winter ducks seems to break the pattern of increasing elegance at breeding time. In the sequence of photographs below Long-tailed drakes, to my human eyes, diminish their appeal during spring. Nevertheless the species prospers.

Long-tailed Ducks in winter plumage (March 12)
female (left) and two males

Intermediate plumage (April 28)
male (left) and female

Summer plumage (April 30)
female (center) and two males

Long-tailed Ducks display a complex pattern of plumage that blends its stages less distinctly than most birds. Individuals within a group may be quite variable at any given time.

A last hurrah of winter birds in early May:
an Iceland Gull watches a male Black Scoter,
two female Common Eider, and a
juvenile King Eider swim by

Winter's array of diving ducks will not be replaced by other shoreline species during the summer months. Their departure allows shellfish and other edibles to replenish their populations.

Spotted Sandpiper

The Spotted Sandpiper is one of the few shorebirds to maintain a year-round presence on our rocky coast, although much more commonly in warm weather.

Greater Yellowlegs

This Greater Yellowlegs sampled conditions at Folly Cove before moving on to the mudflat habitat it prefers. 


Great Blue Heron

A Great Blue Heron briefly inspected tide pools along Halibut Point before moving on to more productive fishing in a pond or estuary. It fluffed its resplendent mating regalia before taking flight.

The shoreline is quieter now than when it hosted the hardy waterfowl that gave steady amusement to coastal wanderers.