Wrightsville Beach Bird Stewards: We Have Chicks!

May 19 Update

Least Terns

Least Terns attempted to nest at the south end, but failed. Steward Jim Tyckoski observed nesting behavior on May 8, and three nests were found on May 9th and two more were found on May 10th, but by May 12 all had failed. Ruddy Turnstone predation was likely to blame, and this type of nest loss can be triggered by human disturbance. When the birds are flushed off their nests, predators like crows and turnstones move in. They peck a hole in the egg and eat the yolk. Both beachgoers and dredge workers flushed the Least Terns. It's also difficult for small groups of Least Terns to be successful. Larger colonies are more cohesive and better able to protect themselves from predators and other threats.

Common Terns

We currently have 8 Common Tern nests in the colony. You can view two of them soundside on the small dune just inside the posting near where the construction netting is. (I will make a map Monday and send it along.) The Common Terns began nesting on May 12. We mark all Common Tern nests and track them to hatching or failure.

Black Skimmers

Black Skimmers began laying eggs on May 14. As of Friday we had 9 nests, and more surely were laid over the weekend. We mark a subset of skimmer nests (there are too many to follow them all) and use hatching success of those nests to get an idea of how the entire colony did as a whole.

American Oystercatchers

The fourth pair finally laid its eggs! We now have four active nests. The first nest, the one visible from the sound side stewarding spot, is due to hatch any day now. The second nest, which is at the southernmost point in the "construction zone" is not far behind. Keep an eye on the first nest for signs of hatching--you might see an adult carry an eggshell away from the nest or see more standing rather than sitting. (FYI a chick was seen today, May 21!)

Willets