Ruddy Turnstones at Home in Tobago

Abstract

The Ruddy Turnstone is a regular non-breeding visitor to Trinidad and Tobago. Groups of up to 20 birds have been studied on the beach at Speyside, Tobago over several years. During 2001 – 2002 some individuals were seen to be marked with coloured leg-bands. From these it was found that the birds had come from the coast of New Jersey, U.S.A., where a major study of the species is being carried out. The Tobago birds were seen feeding on their usual diet of invertebrates, crabs etc, but also on readily available fallen fruits of Sea Grape, an unusual food item for a sandpiper.