TS Ernesto Brings a Wave of Migrants to Anguilla

Migratory Shorebirds on a Carpet of Sargassum Long Pond Bay

In the two weeks before the arrival of Tropical Storm Ernesto, there was a smattering of migratory shorebirds on Anguilla’s salt ponds.

On August 13th the storm’s 55 MPH plus winds passed the island on the way to other locations to the west. Anguilla was lucky it was not worse.

Shorebirds Feeding on Sargassum Long Pond Bay

In the days that followed Ernesto, our wetlands began to fill with several shorebird species. Among them was the Short-billed Dowitcher. They were seen in large numbers feeding on the thick base of Sargassum that washed up on the beaches at the island's eastern end. This nutrient-rich substance is unpleasant for many, but essential for our migrants.

Short-billed Dowitchers Long Pond Bay

Short-billed Dowitcher numbers traditionally peak on our wetlands in September with a few individuals arriving in August. A review of my eBird data for this species showed a peak of 62 birds on September 3, 2020, on Long Pond Bay. I recorded 35 on August 17, 2024, at the same location.

Birds of the World provides the following general information on this species:

“The long-billed, medium-sized Short-billed Dowitcher is a common and conspicuous migrant along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts. Its breeding grounds are restricted to North America, extending nearly from coast to coast across boreal and subarctic regions of Canada and Alaska. In migration, this species prefers open coastal mud flats and saline habitats, unlike the slightly larger and more brightly colored Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus), which tends to use freshwater pools inland.”

Short-billed Dowitcher Distribution Map (Birds of the World)

The species distribution map above shows its breeding grounds, highlighted in pink. That’s approximately 3000 miles from Anguilla!

These birds navigated their way through Hurricanes Ernesto and Debby the week prior.

Short-billed Dowitcher Pair Island Harbour Ball Field Seasonal Pond

I expect more arrivals of this intrepid species in the coming weeks. A few individuals will overwinter with us, while the majority will move further south.

To see what’s happening with bird migration in real time, check out Bird Cast.

---

Citation

Jehl Jr., J. R., J. Klima, and R. E. Harris (2020).Short-billed Dowitcher(Limnodromus griseus), version 1.0. In Birds of the World (A. F. Poole and F. B. Gill, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA.https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.shbdow.01