To end the day with one more wildlife visual – after Trileigh‘s owl and Laura‘s jellyfish – we have Bill‘s shorebird. Bill Bacon shared the photo, writing, “I’d really appreciate it if someone could authoritatively tell me what these shorebirds are that frequent our shorelines year-around. This picture was taken near the old Luna Park Natatorium area.”
Good call Dennis. Can’t quite see the winter plumage but then again, it’s not winter yet.
for those of us who have only been here 12 years, what is CURRENTLY in the location of the old Luna Park Natatorium-. like activ space/ kitty harbor area?
Sam-C: It’s the site of Luna/Anchor Park, around Duwamish Head – the little viewpoint area with the anchor, as you round the viewpoint toward Alki proper. What was the swimming pool tank for Luna Park (which was there, NOT on the site now known as the Luna Park business district) used to be at that spot – TR
From my book Marine Birds and Mammals of Puget Sound by Tony Angell
“Black turnstones are regular migrants in the spring from April into May and in the fall, appearing as early as July and staying through October. They occur along the Strait of Juan de Fuca, in the San Juan Islands, and on Hood Canal and South Puget Sound.
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This species is also a less common winter resident in the northern reaches of this region. The gravel and cobble beaches of Mackaye Harbor on Lopez Island regularly host wintering turnstones. Flocks of this species wander widely through the Sand Juans and onto numerous islets and exposed reefs to feed.
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Black turnstones scurry and poke over rocky beaches, headlands and offshore rocks searching for limpets, barnacles, and assorted small crustaceans. Their stout bills are effective in dislodging food from rocky niches and reaching the undersides of rocks where marine animals have retreated or attached themselves.”
The turnstones hang out over the winter on the rocks below the parking area at Duwamish Head. I’m surprised they’re here so soon. They are usually in a group with Surfbirds, which look pretty similar, but grayer and less streaky in their plumage.
At mid- and low tides they feed on the shoreline rocks all around the Alki area.
There is a good history of “Luna Park – Coney Island of the West (1907-1913)” at Historylink.org. There was also a Salt Water Natatorium which was destroyed by fire in 1931.
When there is a really low tide you can see the rows of pilings that once supported Luna Park.
Thanks, everyone, for all the information. While I do see these birds primarily in the spring and in the fall, I have seen them year around on both sides of Alki Point. The flocks in flight are beautiful as they put on an aerial ballet, swooping, rolling and twisting as a single organism. If I ever get a picture of such a performance, I’ll submit it. B.B., W.S.
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