Tropical Storm….
Tropical Storm Colin dumped a lot of rain the other night and winds were strong, but the chicks seemed to weather the storm without any problem. Chicks were with parents and gathered by the few plants, “condos” and raised areas of the sand to get out of the wind. On Saturday night 17 chicks were all lined up in a row appearing to be shielding each other between the two larger plants at the front of the colony. Parents patiently continued to incubate eggs while getting sand blasted by the blowing sand.
The posting and signs withstood the winds and driving rain and no repair was needed. A very pleasant surprise!
Nesting update…
LEAST TERNS
We are enjoying showing the public the Least Tern chicks because they are so ADORABLE and they are RUNNING EVERYWHERE!!! Least Tern chicks are at various stages of development and the oldest ones which hatched on May 19 are busy growing flight feathers and one was seen already taking flight.
BLACK SKIMMERS
The results of the census is that we currently have 122 Black Skimmer nests at this time and the skimmers are incubating eggs. No chicks had hatched as of last Saturday, but Two Bird Stewards saw our first Black Skimmer chicks this morning..June 8th. These chicks were located in the front dune area right next to a Common Tern nest #6.
Here are phtots of our first Black Skimmer chicks (thanks Don Ellson!) .
New Skimmer chicks were spotted in a family right next door to a Common Tern family on a front dune! Quite a maternity ward out there.
A number of Black Skimmer nests had "avian predation” …eggs that had been pecked. Several of us have observed a Ruddy Turnstone walking among the Black Skimmers and think the turnstone may be the predator. Last year we had 175 nests.
COMMON TERNS
The Common Terns have been especially protective (aggressive) since a few of the 14 nests have hatched chicks. Some chicks were with a parent under plants in the front of the colony. Another chick was spotted under its parent in nest CT #6.
Common Terns have 14 nests in the front of the posting, among the Black Skimmers and on the side of the dunes.
AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS
We have 4 pairs of American Oystercatchers that have nested (eggs) as well as some immature Oystercatchers at the colony. It appears the eggs have hatched but we have not seen the chicks yet. A couple of pairs have been visible in the front of the colony without chicks and are displaying behaviors as if they have lost the chicks.
BIRD WALKS
We meet the public at Beach Access 43 for a Bird Walk every Monday morning beginning at 9 AM until the middle of August. We had 32 guests last Monday and 18 kids so we had a great time. Invite your family and friends to join us!
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