Super Moon = Higher Than Usual Tides = Flooded Nesting Area = :(

With the "super moon" event this weekend the tides were higher than usual. This caused part of the nesting area to flood. Sadly some chicks and many eggs were lost Thursday and Friday nights. Saturday night Garold and I created a trenchlike barrier that helped divert some of the water. Crows, hungry ruddy turnstones, ghost crabs, gulls, unaware beach visitors and now high tides have taken a toll on our nests. And yet there are still lots of hatching/growing chicks to watch out on Masonboro Inlet!

 These two terns were sitting on their nests as the water creeped up.

One tern surrendered the nest with two eggs to the tide.

It was difficult to watch this tern watch her egg disappear into the water.

This is the photo that seems to sum up the despair of Friday night 

(and the inspiration for creating a barrier Saturday night).

Chicks by water's edge...some just watched and others played in the water.

As the tide receded Lindsay went into the flooded nesting area to access the damage.

Some ruddy turnstones showed up to see if tern eggs were on the evening menu.

The oystercatchers seemed to act as bouncers.

And on a much happier note.... the First Annual Chick Party was a great success. 

The moon was magnificent and a marsh hare paid us a visit.