Birding South Beach

 
 
 
 

 

When to visit: Although birding on South Beach can be productive at almost any time of the year, early summer through late fall is when the most spectacular concentrations occur. A trip in the spring can be rewarding, though shorebird concentrations typically are less impressive than later in the year, and the prospects for raptors or seabirds (other than gannets) are less at this season as well. Peak shorebird and tern concentrations occur from mid July into early September (though thousands of shorebirds, primarily Dunlin, Sanderlings, and Black-bellied Plovers, remain into November), while falcons are most numerous from mid September into early November, sea ducks from mid October into early December, and pelagics most anytime (or not at all!) from mid June into December.

While many birds are present on the beach at any tide, and the lower half of the tidal cycle is better for terns roosting on the flats, the largest concentrations by far occur at high tide, and birders should time their visits accordingly. High tide on South Beach generally runs about an hour later than Boston. Generally, the higher the tide the better, those tides running about 10 feet and above in Boston being optimal; these tides occur during and just after the periods of the full and new moons (“spring” tides). During the lower high tides (“neap” tides), some birds will roost on Monomoy or the exposed bars to the west, resulting in diminished (though still significant) concentrations on South Beach.

This aerial photo of South Beach shows the southern 2/3rds of the beach. It was taken at low tide and  is apparently from 2005. Since then, the southern tip of the beach has connected to South Monomoy. From the ferry drop-off point to the southern end of the beach is about 2.25 miles. Click on the image for a full-size version.

Where the Birds are: The best birding is on the southern third or so of the beach, where the vast majority of the birds are to be found. This area is more than a mile south of the standard ferry drop-off spot (and shifts a bit farther south each year).

The inside shore on the northern part of the beach (just south of Chatham Light), when not overrun with sunbathers, often attracts a few roosting shorebirds, gulls, and terns at high tide. At low tide the flats here may have a modest number and variety of feeding shorebirds. Both American Avocet and Gull-billed Tern have been found here, Black Skimmers are seen occasionally, and Forster’s Terns can be numerous in the late summer through early fall. If traveling to South Beach from Outermost Marine (see access), this area can be checked from the boat as you leave the marina. About a half mile south of the north end, roughly opposite the observation deck on the northeast corner of Morris Island, is another small area of flats and low bars that often attracts a few terns and gulls (recently including Gull-billed and Royal Terns, and Lesser Black-backed Gull); this area can be scoped (albeit distantly) from Morris Island.

Although it’s possible to bird the beach fairly well in 3–4 hours, a longer trip will afford a much more leisurely and thorough investigation of the area’s bird life. During the peak season (July – October) one will have no trouble staying occupied for several hours. The ferry services generally operate daily from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., but call ahead to confirm.

Disturbance

In sharp contrast to North Monomoy island, there are almost no restrictions on access to South Beach. The beach is under the jurisdiction of the town of Chatham, and the only closed areas are in the immediate vicinity of nesting Piping Plovers and terns. Thus, it is possible to approach roosting and feeding birds much more closely than at many other sites, and this greater intimacy is a large part of the popularity of the beach among birders. However, this also means that the birds are subject to a much greater degree of disturbance from birders than at most other sites. Thus it behooves everyone visiting this remarkable place to act responsibly and to minimize one’s impact on the birds!

It is almost always possible, with care and patience, to get very good views of the birds without flushing them, and it is also quite possible to traverse the beach and flats without creating undue disturbance. While flushing a few birds is often unavoidable, it is almost never necessary to flush large roosting flocks. Those inclined to do so out of simple expediency, or a desire to keep their feet dry, should find somewhere else to do their shorebirding! If dry feet are a concern, you might find Plum Island and Newburyport Harbor, or Coast Guard Beach in Eastham, more attractive alternatives for viewing shorebirds.