Dots on the Rocks: Purple Sandpipers

Maine Coast Heritage Trust’s Midcoast Regional Stewardship Manager and author of Nature Bummin’ Kirk Gentalen was recently featured in Birdwatcher’s Digest!

His article, “Dots on the Rocks: Purple Sandpipers,” highlights his experiences with and musings on these winter shorebirds, along with some of his fantastic wildlife photography.

Read the beginning of Kirk’s piece below for a glimpse into the story:

The Rockland Harbor Breakwater is a level arrangement of granite rocks that protects Maine’s Rockland Harbor from storms, waves, out of control boats, and whatnot. It’s a little less than a mile long and open to the public. With a picturesque lighthouse at the end, it can be busy any time of the year. Pick the right day, and the place can be brimming with families, dog walkers, fishing folk, nature observers, and lovers strolling hand in hand.

On this February day, I was walking the breakwater with my wife, son, and one of our dogs, a pleasant family outing on a pleasant winter’s day. Sea-watching is always part of our winter breakwater stroll, and in the first half of this walk, we focused on seabirds. Common loons and eiders, long-tailed ducks and razorbills dove over and over in search of tasty treasures below …

Want to read more? Check out the full article here!