2021-05-08 SPI’s Friday Beaches

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24 Photos

Black-Bellied Plover - Pluvialis squatarola — **Black-Bellied Plover**
*(Pluvialis squatarola)*

**Description:**
This plover has donned his spring finery. I began and ended my last day on South Padre Island, visiting the grounds that treated me to so many encounters with migrant birds. Between these times I walked out to the sand flats north of the Convention Centre to look for shorebirds and terns.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:05:08 10:10

**Location:**

Convention Center
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/6000

**File Name:** BlackBelliedPlover_D5X7393_SPI-ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Pin It — **Black-Bellied Plover**
*(Pluvialis squatarola)*

**Description:**
This plover has donned his spring finery. I began and ended my last day on South Padre Island, visiting the grounds that treated me to so many encounters with migrant birds. Between these times I walked out to the sand flats north of the Convention Centre to look for shorebirds and terns.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:05:08 10:10

**Location:**

Convention Center
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/6000

**File Name:** BlackBelliedPlover_D5X7393_SPI-ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Black Skimmer - Rynchops niger — **Black Skimmer**
*(Rynchops niger)*

**Description:**
Skimmers, terns and gulls loafed high and dry on the laguna shore sands. I began and ended my last day on South Padre Island visiting the grounds that treated me to so many encounters with migrant birds. Between these times I walked out to the sand flats north of the Convention Centre to look for shorebirds and terns.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:05:08 10:41

**Location:**

Convention Center
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/6000

**File Name:** BlackSkimmer_D5X7641_SPI-ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Black Tern - Chlidonias niger — **Black Tern**
*(Chlidonias niger)*

**Description:**
Black Terns on the sandy flats were primarily the reason I took the long walk out to meet them. I began and ended my last day on South Padre Island, visiting the grounds that treated me to so many encounters with migrant birds. Between these times I walked out to the sand flats north of the Convention Centre to look for shorebirds and terns.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:05:08 10:22

**Location:**

Convention Center
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000

**File Name:** BlackTern_D5X7454_SPI-ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Chestnut-Sided Warbler - Setophaga pensylvanica — **Chestnut-Sided Warbler**
*(Setophaga pensylvanica)*

**Description:**
This first year female bird was among the few migrating warblers I met before I walked out to look for terns and shorebirds. I began and ended my last day on South Padre Island, visiting the grounds that treated me to so many encounters with migrant birds. Between these times I walked out to the sand flats north of the Convention Centre to look for shorebirds and terns.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:05:08 8:50

**Location:**

Convention Center
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000

**File Name:** ChestnutSidedWarbler_D5X7200_SPI-ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Couch's-Tropical Kingbird - Tyrannus species — **Couch's-Tropical Kingbird**
*(Tyrannus species)*

**Description:**
Silent Couch's and Tropical Kingbirds can not be separated in the field. I began and ended my last day on South Padre Island visiting the grounds that treated me to so many encounters with migrant birds. Between these times I walked out to the sand flats north of the Convention Centre to look for shorebirds and terns.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:05:08 11:23

**Location:**

Convention Center
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000

**File Name:** CouchsTropicalKingbird_D5X7774_SPI-ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Dunlin - Calidris alpina — **Dunlin**
*(Calidris alpina)*

**Description:**
I don’t often see Dunlins in alternate (breeding) plumage. I began and ended my last day on South Padre Island, visiting the grounds that treated me to so many encounters with migrant birds. Between these times I walked out to the sand flats north of the Convention Centre to look for shorebirds and terns.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:05:08 10:04

**Location:**

Convention Center
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/6000

**File Name:** Dunlin_D5X7298_SPI-ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Lark Sparrow - Chondestes grammacus — **Lark Sparrow**
*(Chondestes grammacus)*

**Description:**
I found Lark Sparrows on SPI to be more shy than those I meet in the west. I began and ended my last day on South Padre Island, visiting the grounds that treated me to so many encounters with migrant birds. Between these times I walked out to the sand flats north of the Convention CentreConvention Center to look for shorebirds and terns.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:05:08 11:05

**Location:**

Convention Center
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000

**File Name:** LarkSparrow_D5X7706_SPI-ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Least Tern - Sternula antillarum — **Least Tern**
*(Sternula antillarum)*

**Description:**
I regret I didn’t get better pictures of Least Terns in Texas. In California these birds are endangered. I began and ended my last day on South Padre Island, visiting the grounds that treated me to so many encounters with migrant birds. Between these times I walked out to the sand flats north of the Convention Centre to look for shorebirds and terns.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:05:08 10:24

**Location:**

Convention Center
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000

**File Name:** LeastTern_D5X7467_SPI-ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Northern Waterthrush - Parkesia noveboracensis — **Northern Waterthrush**
*(Parkesia noveboracensis)*

**Description:**
Northern Waterthrushes seem to have a prolonged migration through Texas, or this bird was just unusually late. I began and ended my last day on South Padre Island, visiting the grounds that treated me to so many encounters with migrant birds. Between these times I walked out to the sand flats north of the Convention Centre to look for shorebirds and terns.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:05:08 9:00

**Location:**

Convention Center
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/350

**File Name:** NorthernWaterthrush_D5X7220_SPI-ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Royal Tern - Thalasseus maximus — **Royal Tern**
*(Thalasseus maximus)*

**Description:**
The Royal Terns I met on the sandy flats were courting. I began and ended my last day on South Padre Island, visiting the grounds that treated me to so many encounters with migrant birds. Between these times I walked out to the sand flats north of the Convention Centre to look for shorebirds and terns.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:05:08 10:25

**Location:**

Convention Center
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/6000

**File Name:** RoyalTern_D5X7478_SPI-ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Sandwich Tern - Thalasseus sandvicensis — **Sandwich Tern**
*(Thalasseus sandvicensis)*

**Description:**
Sandwich Terns on the sandy flats were one of the reasons I took the long walk out to see them. I began and ended my last day on South Padre Island, visiting the grounds that treated me to so many encounters with migrant birds. Between these times I walked out to the sand flats north of the Convention Centre to look for shorebirds and terns.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:05:08 10:38

**Location:**

Convention Center
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000

**File Name:** SandwichTern_D5X7630_SPI-ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Savannah Sparrow - Passerculus sandwichensis — **Savannah Sparrow**
*(Passerculus sandwichensis)*

**Description:**
Savannah and Lark Sparrows foraged near each other, feasting on seeds placed for the other migrants. I began and ended my last day on South Padre Island, visiting the grounds that treated me to so many encounters with migrant birds. Between these times I walked out to the sand flats north of the Convention Centre to look for shorebirds and terns.
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**Date Taken:** 2021:05:08 11:06

**Location:**

Convention Center
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/800

**File Name:** SavannahSparrow_D5X7715_SPI-ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Short-Billed Dowitcher - Limnodromus griseus — **Short-Billed Dowitcher**
*(Limnodromus griseus)*

**Description:**
Dowitchers joined the Dunlins (not pictured) foraging on the worms and crustaceans hiding in the wet sand. I began and ended my last day on South Padre Island, visiting the grounds that treated me to so many encounters with migrant birds. Between these times I walked out to the sand flats north of the Convention Centre to look for shorebirds and terns.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:05:08 10:09

**Location:**

Convention Center
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000

**File Name:** ShortBilledDowitcher_D5X7378_SPI-ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Tennessee Warbler - Leiothlypis peregrina — **Tennessee Warbler**
*(Leiothlypis peregrina)*

**Description:**
Tennessee Warblers came through early on migration and stayed late. I began and ended my last day on South Padre Island, visiting the grounds that treated me to so many encounters with migrant birds. Between these times I walked out to the sand flats north of the Convention Centre to look for shorebirds and terns.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:05:08 9:02

**Location:**

Convention Center
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1500

**File Name:** TennesseeWarbler_D5X7248_SPI-ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Yellow-Billed Cuckoo - Coccyzus americanus — **Yellow-Billed Cuckoo**
*(Coccyzus americanus)*

**Description:**
I got to meet quite a few Yellow-Billed Cuckoos during this migration. I began and ended my last day on South Padre Island, visiting the grounds that treated me to so many encounters with migrant birds. Between these times I walked out to the sand flats north of the Convention Centre to look for shorebirds and terns.
Read More

**Date Taken:** 2021:05:08 11:22

**Location:**

Convention Center
South Padre Island, Texas
United States
9.84 ft above sea level

**Camera Information:**
NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000

**File Name:** YellowBilledCuckoo_D5X7763_SPI-ConventionCtr

© 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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Click map markers to reveal further information

Black-Bellied Plover

Pluvialis squatarola

This plover has donned his spring finery. I began and ended my last day on South Padre Island, visiting the grounds that treated me to so many encounters with migrant birds. Between these times I walked out to the sand flats north of the Convention Centre to look for shorebirds and terns.

Black Skimmer

Rynchops niger

Skimmers, terns and gulls loafed high and dry on the laguna shore sands. I began and ended my last day on South Padre Island visiting the grounds that treated me to so many encounters with migrant birds. Between these times I walked out to the sand flats north of the Convention Centre to look for shorebirds and terns.

Black Tern

Chlidonias niger

Black Terns on the sandy flats were primarily the reason I took the long walk out to meet them. I began and ended my last day on South Padre Island, visiting the grounds that treated me to so many encounters with migrant birds. Between these times I walked out to the sand flats north of the Convention Centre to look for shorebirds and terns.

Black Tern

Chlidonias niger

Black Tern

Chlidonias niger

Black Tern

Chlidonias niger

Chestnut-Sided Warbler

Setophaga pensylvanica

This first year female bird was among the few migrating warblers I met before I walked out to look for terns and shorebirds. I began and ended my last day on South Padre Island, visiting the grounds that treated me to so many encounters with migrant birds. Between these times I walked out to the sand flats north of the Convention Centre to look for shorebirds and terns.

Couch's-Tropical Kingbird

Tyrannus species

Silent Couch's and Tropical Kingbirds can not be separated in the field. I began and ended my last day on South Padre Island visiting the grounds that treated me to so many encounters with migrant birds. Between these times I walked out to the sand flats north of the Convention Centre to look for shorebirds and terns.

Dunlin

Calidris alpina

I don’t often see Dunlins in alternate (breeding) plumage. I began and ended my last day on South Padre Island, visiting the grounds that treated me to so many encounters with migrant birds. Between these times I walked out to the sand flats north of the Convention Centre to look for shorebirds and terns.

Dunlin

Calidris alpina

Dunlin

Calidris alpina

Lark Sparrow

Chondestes grammacus

I found Lark Sparrows on SPI to be more shy than those I meet in the west. I began and ended my last day on South Padre Island, visiting the grounds that treated me to so many encounters with migrant birds. Between these times I walked out to the sand flats north of the Convention CentreConvention Center to look for shorebirds and terns.

Least Tern

Sternula antillarum

I regret I didn’t get better pictures of Least Terns in Texas. In California these birds are endangered. I began and ended my last day on South Padre Island, visiting the grounds that treated me to so many encounters with migrant birds. Between these times I walked out to the sand flats north of the Convention Centre to look for shorebirds and terns.

Northern Waterthrush

Parkesia noveboracensis

Northern Waterthrushes seem to have a prolonged migration through Texas, or this bird was just unusually late. I began and ended my last day on South Padre Island, visiting the grounds that treated me to so many encounters with migrant birds. Between these times I walked out to the sand flats north of the Convention Centre to look for shorebirds and terns.

Royal Tern

Thalasseus maximus

The Royal Terns I met on the sandy flats were courting. I began and ended my last day on South Padre Island, visiting the grounds that treated me to so many encounters with migrant birds. Between these times I walked out to the sand flats north of the Convention Centre to look for shorebirds and terns.

Royal Tern

Thalasseus maximus

The Royal Terns I met on the sandy flats were courting. Sometimes this involves bribery. I began and ended my last day on South Padre Island, visiting the grounds that treated me to so many encounters with migrant birds. Between these times I walked out to the sand flats north of the Convention Centre to look for shorebirds and terns.

Royal Tern

Thalasseus maximus

Sandwich Tern

Thalasseus sandvicensis

Sandwich Terns on the sandy flats were one of the reasons I took the long walk out to see them. I began and ended my last day on South Padre Island, visiting the grounds that treated me to so many encounters with migrant birds. Between these times I walked out to the sand flats north of the Convention Centre to look for shorebirds and terns.

Sandwich Tern

Thalasseus sandvicensis

Savannah Sparrow

Passerculus sandwichensis

Savannah and Lark Sparrows foraged near each other, feasting on seeds placed for the other migrants. I began and ended my last day on South Padre Island, visiting the grounds that treated me to so many encounters with migrant birds. Between these times I walked out to the sand flats north of the Convention Centre to look for shorebirds and terns.

Short-Billed Dowitcher

Limnodromus griseus

Dowitchers joined the Dunlins (not pictured) foraging on the worms and crustaceans hiding in the wet sand. I began and ended my last day on South Padre Island, visiting the grounds that treated me to so many encounters with migrant birds. Between these times I walked out to the sand flats north of the Convention Centre to look for shorebirds and terns.

Tennessee Warbler

Leiothlypis peregrina

Tennessee Warblers came through early on migration and stayed late. I began and ended my last day on South Padre Island, visiting the grounds that treated me to so many encounters with migrant birds. Between these times I walked out to the sand flats north of the Convention Centre to look for shorebirds and terns.

Yellow-Billed Cuckoo

Coccyzus americanus

I got to meet quite a few Yellow-Billed Cuckoos during this migration. I began and ended my last day on South Padre Island, visiting the grounds that treated me to so many encounters with migrant birds. Between these times I walked out to the sand flats north of the Convention Centre to look for shorebirds and terns.