Willet: The Probing Shorebird with Flashy Wings of Ocean Beach Mudflats

The Willet (Tringa semipalmata) is a large, sturdy shorebird known for its subtle camouflage on the ground but spectacular black-and-white wing flash in flight. This vocal and active wader is a top target for bird watchers and photographers in Ocean Beach, San Diego, where it's frequently seen probing mudflats at the San Diego River mouth near Dog Beach and foraging in the tidal channels of Famosa Slough.

In early March, Willets are common winter residents and early migrants along San Diego's coast, often heard before seen thanks to their loud, ringing "pill-will-willet" call. They stride purposefully across mudflats, using their long, straight bill to probe deeply for buried prey like worms, clams, and crabs.

Why Spot the Willet?

  • Signature Behavior: On the ground, plain gray-brown and easy to overlook, but in flight it transforms with dramatic contrasting black-and-white wing stripes that flash vividly—perfect for capturing eye-catching action shots as they take off or circle overhead.
  • Appearance: Stocky build with long gray legs, a thick straight bill (gray with darker tip), and overall grayish-brown plumage in nonbreeding (common in March). In breeding plumage (starting to show in spring), they gain heavier barring on the breast and back. Their size (similar to a small goose) and deliberate gait set them apart from smaller shorebirds.
  • Local Connection: Willets thrive in San Diego's estuarine habitats like the San Diego River estuary and Famosa Slough, where tidal mudflats provide ideal foraging. They're year-round in some areas but peak in winter/early spring here, often in small groups or singly, adding to the dynamic shorebird scene.

Best viewing tips for Ocean Beach: Low tide at the San Diego River mouth or Dog Beach exposes prime mudflats—Willets often feed close to edges for excellent views. Listen for their signature call to locate them. At Famosa Slough, watch from trails as they probe channels. Flight shots shine in soft coastal light, highlighting those flashy wings!

Spotting a Willet on your "Wings Over the Waves" trip reveals the magic of transformation—drab to dazzling in an instant, making it a thrilling and photogenic part of Ocean Beach's shorebird world!

For more details and stunning photos:

Ready for more? Keep exploring the list—next could be the wave-chasing Sanderling!