I have several birding books and an equal number of birding apps, but my go-to book is Bob Morse’s BIRDS of the Puget Sound. It’s a small handbook (about the size of a hand) and contains short, but helpful, descriptions of the birds, where they are most apt to be found, and habits. My experience with Black-Bellied Plovers at Ft. Flagler seemed an experience right out of a textbook.
His book states that they can be found in â€?”mudflats,â€
short grass,
and beaches.
Under Diet and Behavior, the book states â€?”Birds spread out to feed but roost in groups, often flocking with other shorebirds, especially Dunlin.
I’ll have to admit that I didn’t really see the Plovers mixed in with the Dunlin until I brought the shots up on screen. It’s a great place to get lost in a crowd.