The Science of Birds

Bird Habitat: Rocky Shores and Sandy Beaches


Listen Later

This episode—which is Number 104—is all about rocky shores and sandy beaches as bird habitat. These environments offer birds very different resources and challenges. We explore the geology behind these habitats—how high-energy waves shape rocky cliffs and headlands, while the deposition of sediment builds up sandy beaches. Alongside this, we discuss the dynamic interaction between birds and their coastal homes, and how species like gulls, shorebirds, and seabirds have adapted to thrive in these unique settings.

The episode highlights the incredible diversity of bird species found along coastlines worldwide. From puffins nesting on rocky sea cliffs to plovers skittering across sandy beaches, coastal birds have developed specialized feeding and breeding behaviors to survive in their often harsh environments. We also examine how tides and wave energy shape the coastal ecosystem and offer rich feeding opportunities for birds during migration and in their non-breeding seasons.

Finally, we touch on the many challenges coastal birds face from human activity—habitat destruction, disturbance, pollution, and climate change—all of which threaten these delicate ecosystems. But amidst the challenges, coastal environments remain awe-inspiring places for birdwatching, providing opportunities to witness some of the most dramatic bird spectacles on Earth.
 

  ~~ Leave me a review using Podchaser ~~

Link to this episode on the Science of Birds website 

Support the show

View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The Science of BirdsBy Ivan Phillipsen

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

717 ratings


More shows like The Science of Birds

View all
BirdNote Daily by BirdNote

BirdNote Daily

1,152 Listeners

Living Planet by DW

Living Planet

122 Listeners

Radiolab by WNYC Studios

Radiolab

43,925 Listeners

Outside/In by NHPR

Outside/In

1,427 Listeners

Nature Guys by Nature Guys

Nature Guys

517 Listeners

Sidedoor by Smithsonian Institution

Sidedoor

2,166 Listeners

The American Birding Podcast by American Birding Association

The American Birding Podcast

636 Listeners

In Defense of Plants Podcast by In Defense of Plants

In Defense of Plants Podcast

1,208 Listeners

Ologies with Alie Ward by Alie Ward

Ologies with Alie Ward

23,310 Listeners

The Wild with Chris Morgan by KUOW News and Information

The Wild with Chris Morgan

3,274 Listeners

Crime Pays But Botany Doesn't by Tony Santore

Crime Pays But Botany Doesn't

502 Listeners

Native Plants, Healthy Planet by Pinelands Nursery, Bleav

Native Plants, Healthy Planet

259 Listeners

Relax With Animal Facts by Stefan Wolfe

Relax With Animal Facts

602 Listeners

Completely Arbortrary by Completely Arbortrary

Completely Arbortrary

1,192 Listeners

Life List: A Birding Podcast by George Armistead, Alvaro Jaramillo, and Mollee Brown

Life List: A Birding Podcast

142 Listeners