Birds feeding in Seaweed?!

[James Firmin]

Hey there bird watching buddies,



I'm very interested in the feeding habits of terrestrial birds, in particular when they forage along the strandlines of beaches and that.

So has anyone ever seen non wading and non seashore birds feeding on the beach? Any anecdotes or sightings would be very much appreciated,

Cheers, J.

[astafjevs]

Do pied wagtails count? Spotted two feeding amongst rock pools/seaweed on a rocky beach on the Lizard (Cornwall) at Easter.

[clydebirder]

Over the years have noted the following birds feeding at seaweed along the tideline; Starling, Wheatear, Pied wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Spotted Flycatcher, Meadow Pipit, House Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Linnet, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Carrion Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, Magpie and Green Woodpecker.

It's not surprising when you see the amount of insects to be found there

cheers, John

[James Firmin]

Cheers guys,



The reasons I ask is that im studying bird use of strandlines at the moment, got six weeks to get some interesting data in.

Ive also many of the birds you list feeding in strand lines clyde birder, but they never seem to appear when im watching under test conditions! so far rooks, jackdaws and starlings are the major strandline feeders.

whats also intriguing is that lots of councils these days are ploughing up beaches in cackhanded attempts to remove 'unsightly' seaweed accumulations which are full of bird food as you say,

So im keen to get some conclusive data in to combat this over zelous cleanliness...

anyway, anymore info would again be much appreciated!

hangloose buddies, J.

[Neil Rigby]

Hi James, I'd be happy to publish your study when complete if you like.

I'm sure a lot of people would be interested to read it.

Good luck with it.

[James Firmin]

Hello Neil,



Cheers for the offer, I might get back to you on that one.

It really is a very interesting topic!

[Neil Rigby]

I'm sure it is.

Once you start looking at something which on the face of it sounds a bit mundane and limited you often find a lot of interest.

Look forward to it.