Ruddy Turnstone
Arenaria interpres · Also known as: turnstone
Calico-patterned shorebird that flips shells and wrack on Inlet rocks and Assateague beaches.
Quick facts
| Group | Shorebird |
|---|---|
| Likelihood nearby | ★★★★☆ |
| Habitats | Ocean beach, Inlet, Assateague National Seashore, Assateague State Park |
| Seasons (this coast) | migration, spring, fall, winter |
How to recognize them
- Short orange legs, wedge bill; breeding plumage is vivid rust, black, and white.
- Nonbreeding birds are browner but keep the distinctive “harlequin” face pattern.
Biology notes
- Turns stones, seaweed, and shells to find invertebrates—behavior matches the name.
- Arctic nester; uses Mid-Atlantic beaches and jetties on migration and in winter.
Where to see them around Ocean City
- Ocean City Inlet jetties and rock.
- Assateague wrack lines and shell hash on the ocean beach.
When to look
- Spring and fall migration peaks; some winter on the lower shore.
Viewing tips & etiquette
- Jetty birds tolerate quiet observers more than beach runners and dogs.
