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Beach
Black Scoter
Males are solid black with a yellow-orange knob at the base of bill. Females are brownish with a light colored cheek patch.
Where to see
Migratory, common in winter. Ocean, typically several hundred yards out.
Notes
Flocks of several thousand are seen offshore in winter. A strong pair of binoculars or scope is required to see them.
Lesser Scaup
Medium-sized duck. Males have purplish-black/green head and whitish-gray back. Females are brown with white face patch. Blue bill.
Where to see
Migratory, common in winter. Large ponds (Ibis, Willet and Bass) and ocean.
Notes
Often seen in large flocks diving for submerged vegetation, invertebrates, and mollusks. Also called “bluebills.”
Red Knot
Medium, stocky shorebird. Grayish-brown in winter, distinctive rusty color in spring/summer. Black bill.
Where to see
Migratory, common in winter and spring. Beach, especially on east and west ends.
Notes
Threatened. In spring, thousands stage on Kiawah before migrating north to breed.
American Oystercatcher
Large shorebird. Brown above, white below with a black head. Long, bright orange bill and eye-ring.
Where to see
Migratory, breeder, fairly common year-round. Beach, especially on east and west ends, river, and creeks.
Notes
Specialized in feeding on bivalves. Uses needlelike bill to sever the strong muscle that holds the shell closed.
Black Skimmer
Medium-sized seabird. Black above, white below. Large bill is black with red base.
Where to see
Migratory, fairly common year-round. Beach, ponds, and tidal creeks.
Notes
Feeds primarily at dusk or dawn (also at night) by skimming the surface of water with an open bill.
Ruddy Turnstone
Small, stocky shorebird. Head and chest patterned black and white, reddish above and white below. Orange legs. Short, pointed bill.
Where to see
Migratory, present year-round but common in winter. Beach, mudflats, and lagoons.
Notes
Often seen turning over beach debris in search of food.
Black-Bellied Plover
Medium-sized shorebird. Grayish above, whitish below turning a striking black and white in the spring. In flight, black “armpits” distinctive.
Where to see
Migratory, common in fall, winter, and spring. Beach, lagoons, mudflats, and driving range at the Ocean Course.
Notes
A stalking predator adapted to feed on a variety of prey items.
Wilson’s Plover
Small shorebird. Brownish above, white below with a dark breast band across chest. Large, thick, black bill. Flesh-colored legs.
Where to see
Migratory, breeder, common in spring, summer, and fall. Rare in winter. Beach, mudflats, marsh, and lagoons.
Notes
Specializes in feeding on fiddler crabs.
Piping Plover
Small shorebird. Pale gray above, white below with a narrow, pale band across chest that turns blackish in spring. Orange legs. Black bill turns orange in spring.
Where to see
Migratory, fairly common in fall, winter, and spring. Beach, lagoons, and mudflats.
Notes
Endangered. Picks invertebrates from surface of sand.
Semipalmated Plover
Small shorebird. Dark brown above, white below with a single dark breast band. Orange bill with dark tip and orange legs.
Where to see
Migratory, present year-round but common in winter. Beach, lagoons, and mudflats.
Notes
Forages on wet sand by picking invertebrates from the surface.