Author: mybirdwalks

Avon to Waves, eastbound

May 19, 2025. Beach hiking is HARD. If you do find firm sand to walk on, it’s usually on a slant, and now and then the ocean spills over your boots to remind you who’s boss.

That said, I was able to complete 15.6 MST miles, straight up the beach from Avon–with a few nesting-bird detours that brought my actual total to 17.0 for the day.

It. Was. Exhausting.

After church on Sunday we drove to the Outer Banks, stopping at Oregon Inlet for some late afternoon birding.

We were thrilled to find a large flock of Red Knots in their pretty pink breeding plumage. By far the best look we’ve ever had at this species.

Early Monday morning the husband-shuttle dropped me off at Avon Pier.

Route-finding was pretty straight-forward: Go “to da beach” and turn left.

I planned this hike for an out-going tide, to maximize the opportunity for firmer sand.

I had lots of Sanderlings, Laughing Gulls, Ruddy Turnstones, and even Whimbrels to keep me company.

This was unusual–typically at these nesting sites there is NO access whatsoever.

Like this one.

I encountered four closed-off sections, which meant detours up over the dunes into the scrubland.

Although it took some extra effort to make the detours, it was nice to have a change of scenery, even though I still was battling the sand.

I pried these babies out of my shoes—and out of my shins, too. Creepy little aliens!

The nesting areas were between a quarter and a half mile, then I had to climb up over the tall dunes to get back to the beach.

I tried to do my morning devotions, but the terrain was just too uncertain and the wind too gusty to concentrate on a text.

I needed this break!

I did the next mile barefoot, because, you know, it’s the beach. It was still a slog, but at least I didn’t have to worry about scurrying away from the surf, vainly trying to keep my shoes and socks dry.

But the shoes had to go back on for the detour!

This last detour was nearly a mile long, but there was a little way-trail that was helpful.

The creepy alien that kept attacking me is actually Eastern Prickly Pear, or “Devil’s Tongue.”

Back to the shore once again, near Waves. I am SO TIRED!
This was one of my top five hikes for sheer exertion, and it would have been undoable if it was actually HOT. Dealing with sand all day is soul-crushing.

I was too tired to even take any more photos…but in Waves I headed inland to a fellow MST-hiker’s Airbnb, where I could collapse in the cozy, bird-themed bedroom.

Thank you, Sarah, for hosting us!!!