July 31, 2026: Southbound shorebird migration has begun along Falmouth’s shores. This elegant Greater Yellowlegs pauses at Woodneck Beach, foraging along the waterline to replenish energy before continuing its remarkable journey to wintering grounds farther south.

Although summer is still in full swing, one of nature’s great seasonal events is already underway along the Falmouth shoreline. Shorebird migration has quietly begun, with the first southbound travelers arriving from breeding grounds across northern New England and the Canadian Arctic.

Among the earliest migrants is the elegant Greater Yellowlegs, a long-legged shorebird recognized by its bright yellow legs, graceful stride, and clear, whistled calls. This individual was photographed foraging along the waterline at Woodneck Beach, where the receding tide exposed a rich supply of small fish, marine worms, tiny crustaceans, and other invertebrates. These productive feeding areas allow migrating birds to replenish the energy reserves needed for journeys that may span thousands of miles to wintering grounds along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, the Caribbean, and South America.

Over the coming weeks, Falmouth’s beaches, marshes, and mudflats will host an ever-changing procession of sandpipers, plovers, yellowlegs, and other remarkable shorebirds, offering birders exceptional opportunities to witness one of the year’s most fascinating migrations.