While these birds are resident in the state year-round, they nest all over the east coast. We see them in pairs here on Dewees Island and along the waterway. In winter, however, we get to see them in incredible numbers. Birds who spend the summer as far north as Rhode Island and Nantucket (like many human residents) fly south and gather here in large numbers in the winter.
On a recent fall evening, Big Hill Island was covered with birds. At first glance, the Dunlin, Sandpipers and Black Bellied Plovers blended in with the oyster shell substrate.