Shorebirds of Prairie Grasslands: A Quiet Companion

Shorebirds of prairie grasslands are a surprising and delightful group of birds that spend part of their lives far from ocean coasts. These grassland shorebirds include species like the Upland Sandpiper, Long-billed Curlew, Marbled Godwit, and Willet. They nest and raise their young in the open prairies, wetlands, and pastures of North America's interior, then migrate to coastal areas for the winter. For birdwatchers willing to explore grasslands, these birds offer a unique opportunity to observe shorebird behaviour in a completely different setting.

What Are Grassland Shorebirds?

Grassland shorebirds are members of the shorebird family (sandpipers, plovers, and their relatives) that have adapted to breed in grassland habitats instead of typical coastal or wetland environments. Unlike their beach-dwelling cousins, these birds spend the breeding season in prairies, meadows, and agricultural fields. They still share many shorebird traits—long legs, probing bills, and distinctive calls—but their nesting behaviour and diet shift to suit the grassy landscape.

Four primary species are considered grassland shorebirds in North America:

• Upland Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda)
• Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus)
• Marbled Godwit (Limosa fedoa)
• Willet (Tringa semipalmata, western subspecies)

Each species has unique behaviours and habitat preferences, but all rely on healthy prairie ecosystems for successful nesting.

Why Prairies? The Role of Grassland Nesting

Grassland nesting is a strategy that allows these shorebirds to avoid competition and predation found in more traditional shorebird habitats. By moving inland to nest in vast open areas, they find abundant insects for food and relatively fewer mammalian predators (though ground nests still face threats). The tall grass provides concealment, and the open landscape allows for early detection of approaching danger.

Prairie wetlands—shallow ponds, marshes, and wet meadows—are also crucial. Many grassland shorebirds nest in upland areas but lead their chicks to wetland edges to feed on aquatic invertebrates. In the Prairie Pothole Region, for example, Marbled Godwits and Willets often nest near these wetlands, using the moist soil to probe for food.

Meet the Species

Upland Sandpiper: The Grasspiper

The Upland Sandpiper is the quintessential grassland shorebird. It is a medium-sized sandpiper with a small head, long neck, big dark eyes, and a short, thin bill. Its plumage is buffy brown with dark markings, providing excellent camouflage in dry grass. Unlike most shorebirds, it rarely wades; instead, it runs through the grass, often perching on fence posts or utility wires.

What to notice: Listen for its distinctive wolf-whistle call—a long, ascending "wolf whistle" that carries across the prairie. During courtship, males perform a fluttering flight, singing as they rise and fall.

Where to look: Native prairie remnants, hayfields, and lightly grazed pastures. They avoid very short grass and dense shrubland.

Seasonal notes: Upland Sandpipers arrive on breeding grounds in late April to early May and depart by August. They winter in South America, particularly in the pampas of Argentina—a remarkable migration for a bird often seen on fence posts.

Long-billed Curlew: The Prairies' Largest Shorebird

The Long-billed Curlew is impossible to confuse with any other bird. It is a very large shorebird—about the size of a crow but with an extraordinarily long, down-curved bill (up to 8.5 inches in females). Its body is warm cinnamon-buff with a streaked breast and barred wings.

What to notice: Watch for its probing behaviour. The curlew uses its long bill to reach deep into soil for earthworms, beetle larvae, and other invertebrates. In flight, it shows a bright cinnamon wing lining, and its call is a ringing cur-lee, often given in flight.

Where to look: Shortgrass and mixed-grass prairies, especially areas with patches of bare ground. They are less tied to water than other species but will use wetlands after nesting.

Seasonal notes: Curlews arrive in March–April and nest by mid-May. They are early migrants, leaving by late June or July for coastal California, Texas, and Mexico. Some non-breeders may summer on the Gulf Coast.

Marbled Godwit: The Prairie Wetland Specialist

The Marbled Godwit is a large, long-legged shorebird with a long, slightly upturned bill that is pink at the base and black at the tip. Its plumage is rich buffy-brown with dark barring, giving a marbled appearance. In flight, it shows cinnamon wing linings.

What to notice: Godwits often feed in shallow water, probing rapidly with their bills like sewing machines. Their call is a loud god-wit or kerreck. During breeding season, males perform high circling display flights over their territory.

Where to look: Native prairie near prairie wetlands, such as potholes, shallow lakes, and wet meadows. They nest in upland grassland but require water nearby for chick-rearing.

Seasonal notes: Marbled Godwits arrive in April and nest by mid-May. They depart by late July to coastal mudflats in the southern U.S., Mexico, and Central America.

Willet: The "Pill-Will-Willet" of the Prairies

The Willet is a large, robust shorebird with grey legs and a straight, heavy bill. In breeding plumage, it is heavily barred with brown and white; in winter, it is plain grey. The western subspecies (Tringa semipalmata inornata) breeds in prairie wetlands, while the eastern subspecies breeds in coastal salt marshes.

What to notice: When flushed, Willets flash bold black-and-white wing stripes—a startling contrast to their cryptic body. Their call is a piercing pill-will-willet. They are highly territorial and will mob intruders near their nests.

Where to look: Wet meadow edges, shallow marshes, and prairie potholes. They nest in dense grass, often far from water but lead chicks to wet areas soon after hatching.

Seasonal notes: Willets arrive in late April to early May, nest by late May, and leave by July for coastal wintering grounds from the southern U.S. to South America.

Seasonal Changes and Shorebird Migration

Understanding the annual cycle of grassland shorebirds helps predict when and where to find them. The table below summarizes key periods for the northern Great Plains (adjust by latitude).

Shorebird migration patterns for these species are notable: they move from interior breeding grounds to coastal wintering areas, often stopping at traditional staging sites like the Cheyenne Bottoms in Kansas or the Great Salt Lake. Observing them during migration at wetlands can offer a chance to see them in more typical shorebird habitats.

Preparing for a Prairie Shorebird Outing

Watching grassland shorebirds requires a different approach than birding at a coastal marsh. Here are steps to make your outing successful and respectful:

1. Choose the right habitat: Look for native prairie remnants, lightly grazed pastures, or hayfields with nearby wetlands. Public lands like national wildlife refuges, state conservation areas, and Nature Conservancy preserves often have suitable habitat and are open to visitors.
2. Time your visit: Early morning or late evening are best when birds are most active and light is favourable. Midday heat can reduce bird activity.
3. Bring appropriate optics: A spotting scope is invaluable because many birds will be distant. Binoculars (8x or 10x) are essential. A camera with a telephoto lens can help with documentation.
4. Learn the calls: Familiarize yourself with the distinctive calls of each species. In open country, you often hear birds before you see them. The Upland Sandpiper's whistle and the curlew's cur-lee are diagnostic.
5. Scan fence posts and rises: Upland Sandpipers and curlews frequently perch on posts, rocks, or slight elevations. Use your scope to scan these features.
6. Watch for display flights: In May and June, males perform territorial flights. A singing Upland Sandpiper flying over a field is an unforgettable sight.
7. Respect nesting areas: Stay on established trails and roads. If a bird seems agitated, calls incessantly, or feigns a broken wing, you are too close to a nest or young. Back away slowly.
8. Record your observations: Keep field notes on behaviour, habitat, and numbers. Your notes can contribute to citizen science projects like eBird or the Breeding Bird Survey, helping track populations.

Reading the Landscape: Field Notes and Patient Observation

Patient observation is the core of prairie birding. Instead of rushing from spot to spot, spend time at one location. Sit quietly at a wetland edge or along a fenceline and let the birds reveal themselves. Watch for subtle movements in the grass—a curlew probing, a godwit walking with a rocking gait, or an Upland Sandpiper freezing motionless to avoid detection.

Keep a notebook and record:

• Date, time, weather (temperature, wind, sky conditions)
• Habitat description (grass height, plant species if known, distance to water)
• Bird behaviour (feeding, displaying, alarming, leading chicks)
• Numbers and sex/age if discernible
• Vocalizations (try to describe or use a voice recording)

These notes will deepen your understanding of how grassland shorebirds use the landscape through the seasons. Note when you first hear an Upland Sandpiper in spring, or when curlews disappear in summer—these phenological observations are valuable.

Conservation and Respectful Birding

Many prairie shorebird populations are declining due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and agricultural intensification. The Upland Sandpiper has declined significantly in parts of its range. The Long-billed Curlew is listed as a species of concern in several states and provinces. By practicing careful birding, you can minimize your impact:

• Keep distance: Use binoculars or a scope to observe. If birds flush repeatedly, you are too close.
• Avoid nesting areas: From May to July, be aware that nests and young are vulnerable. Stick to paths and roadsides.
• Do not use playback: Playing recorded calls can disturb territorial birds and may lure them away from nests.
• Support habitat conservation: Contribute to organizations that protect native prairie and wetlands. Even small donations or volunteer hours help.
• Share observations responsibly: On eBird, consider hiding exact locations for sensitive species during breeding season. This prevents excessive visitation.

A Final Quiet Invitation

Next time you find yourself on a prairie road with rolling grasslands stretching to the horizon, roll down the window and listen. You might hear the lilting whistle of an Upland Sandpiper or the far-carrying cur-lee of a Long-billed Curlew. These are sounds of a landscape that once echoed with bison and prairie chickens. By learning to observe grassland shorebirds with patience and care, we connect not only with the birds but with the enduring spirit of the prairie.