Semipalmated Plover - Long Beach, BC
This little plover is our most common on the Pacific coast. Its name comes from the semi-webbed feet that help to keep it from sinking into softer, muddier areas. This beach is usually a favorite of surfing destination, but in the spring and fall, the shorebirds heading to the arctic circle use this as a refueling station. when you walk down the beach a multitude of species are running up and down the beach looking for critters that live in the sand. What looks like plastic all around the bird is actually remnants of small jellyfish that use this stiff chitinous sail to move them around on the open ocean.