This is Bird Note.

Today, we're walking along the shore of a saltwater bay.

The tide's going out, leaving behind a broad, dark mudflat.

For some, this muddy plane might appear a waste of natural space,

an ephemeral landscape awaiting the rising tide,

and smelling to high heaven in the meantime.

But that fragrance offers an important clue.

Mudflats are anything but empty.

In fact, they're rich in nutrients,

such as decomposing organic matter,

and minerals that support an abundance of life,

like these Dunlund, a type of sandpiper.

Much of this life lies below the surface, scoop up a pale of mud,

and look closely.

You'll see a universe of tiny snails, worms,

crustaceans, and a whole lot more.

That's good news for hungry shorebirds that are getting ready to migrate.

Each spring and fall, millions of shorebirds gather to feast on those tiny creatures,

as they prepare for long journeys ahead.

So the next time you wrinkle your nose at low tide,

imagine the countless creatures that draw their life from that fragrant mud.

For Bird Note, I'm Michael Stein.

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