|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Domain |
Eukarya |
| Kingdom |
Animalia |
| Phylum |
Chordata |
| Subphylum |
Vertebrata |
| Class |
Aves |
| Order |
Charadriiformes |
| Family |
Scolopacidae |
| Genus |
Arenaria |
| Species |
melanocephala |
| Common Name: |
Black Turnstone |
|
|
 |
| Ryan took this image in January 2009. At that time of year there are over a dozen turnstones foraging across the island. |
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Black and white markings in flight |
Side view of turnstone in feeding habitat |
Side view of turnstone |
Turnstone feeding in intertidal habitat |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
56k version of the video |
 |
View this slide show of a turnstone being part of the food chain! |
|
|
|
|
|
The Black Turnstone breeds in Western and Southern Alaska on the coastal plain. It winters only on the Pacific coast, from southeast Alaska to central Mexico. It is the most abundant shorebird of rocky shorelines. Favourite habitats include reefs, rocky beaches, jetties, and gravel bars at the mouths of rivers or along lagoons. It may also forage on adjacent mudflats wet sandy beaches, floating kelp beds, and piles of washed-up seaweed. Black Turnstones have been recorded roosting on dry rocks, jetties, and floating log booms at which time they may gather into extremely dense flocks.
|
It is widely distributed along the inner and outer coast. Its distribution is largely restricted to rocky coastal shorelines, but it frequents many fiords and protected inlets. It is a vagrant in the interior. The Black Turnstone usually occurs in flocks of 10 to 30 birds at Race Rocks where it overwinters. After a rain it can often be seen as in this photograph, bathing in the freshwater pools in rock depressions. Photos by PB. |
|
|
|
Reference used:http://rbcm1.rbcm.gov.bc.ca/nh_papers/gracebell/english/b_turnst.htm
Below are the records for population numbers of Black Turnstones observed in the Christmas Bird Counts.
|
|
|
|
| 1978 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
| 27 |
30 |
25 |
51 |
6 |
18 |
storm |
25 |
45 |
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
This file is provided as part of a collaborative effort by the students of
Lester B. Pearson College |
Dec, 2002 |
Angela Chaisson, PC yr 28 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
