Every day seems to bring a new sign of a very successful nesting season at the south end of Wrightsville Beach. Birds have been arriving all week and we have much more activity at the nesting area now.
Black Skimmers have been arriving daily. One of our Bird Stewards was at the beach April 30 and counted 276 Black Skimmers! Skimmers are coupling up and we witnessed several mating!
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| photo by Krystyna Ochola |
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| photo by Laura Scullin |
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| photo by Laura Scullin |
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| photo by Laura Scullin |
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| photo by Laura Scullin |
Common Terns have also arrived. We have seen four pairs of Common Terns over the weekend in the front small dunes.
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| photo by Don Ellson |
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| photo by Don Ellson |
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| photo by Don Ellson |
Least Terns are numerous with well over 200 seen in the air at one time. It appears that we have several nests (scrapes with eggs) on the ground that are being cared for by parents. And there is a lot of courting activity as we watch the male least terns offer a fish to potential mates.
We have 2 pairs of American Oystercatchers as well as some immature Oystercatchers at the colony. We have one nest.
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| photo by Krystyna Ochola |
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| photo by Laura Scullin |
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| photo by Laura Scullin |
This Willet seems to be standing guard over the colony from one of the posting signs.
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| photo by Krystyna Ochola |
Meanwhile I am determined to learn to take photos this summer using my scope and iPhone. Here is my practice shot taken during this morning's Bird Walk. It seems to be a steep learning curve for me!
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Photo by Kathy Hannah
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