Skimmer School in Session

(photo by Laura Scullin)

Although an occasional Least Tern can still be seen hanging around the colony, most of the chicks have already fledged and have headed south.

Least Tern fledgling seen in the colony 7/20 (photo by Don Ellson)

Pair of Least Terns and a chick seen 7/22 (photo by Laura Scullin)

The Common Terns are still in the colony and their chicks are growing rapidly. An occasional American Oystercatcher  (or two) also stops by the colony.

(photo by Laura Sculin)

And Green Herons can often be seen in the nearby trees.

(photo by Alex Sabbeth)

But the Black Skimmers seem to own the beach right now. They can be seen everywhere...in the colony with some new chicks, feeding their growing chicks, hanging out at the shoreline, skimming along the water, relaxing in the sand.  

(photo by Don Ellson)

(photo by Don Ellson)

(photo by Don Ellson)

(photo by Laura Scullin)

(photo by Laura Scullin)

(photo by Laura Scullin)

(photo by Laura Scullin)

(photo by Laura Scullin)

(photo by Laura Scullin)

(photo by Alex Sabbeth)

(photo by Alex Sabbeth)

(photo by Alex Sabbeth)

(photo by Alex Sabbeth)

(photo by Don Ellson)

(photo by Don Ellson)

(photo by Don Ellson)

(photo by Don Ellson)

(photo by Don Ellson)

Many of the Black Skimmer fledglings are busy participating in "Skimmer School" which involves learning the art of skimming along the water and trying to catch their own food.  It is a joy to watch their successes and entertaining to watch an occasional mishap.

(photo by Don Ellson)

(photo by Don Ellson)

(photo by Don Ellson)

Sunday, July 17, several Black Skimmers were banded.  New "field readable" bands were used so you can see both a metal band and black & white bands on each bird.  While being banded various measurements were taken and recorded to help us learn more about these magnificent creatures.

(all banding photos by Mary Ann Walton)

Nesting Colony Surviving the Heat

With the heat index often hovering over 100 degrees, the birds and chicks have been seeking shade in the plants and condos.  Many Black Skimmer adults are by the water’s edge trying to cool off and switching places with their mate on the sand.

(photo by Don Ellson)

LEAST TERNS…. Many of the Least Terns have left the area already because they did get an earlier start nesting than last year.  You may recall that we had a tropical storm last year that resulted in our Least Tern colony re-nesting and in the Least Terns leaving more toward the end of July.  We still have a few cute Least Tern chicks to show beachgoers and to photograph and additional birds incubating eggs.  Look for the chicks by the “beach condos” and you will see a parent bird close by! 

(photo by Mary Ann Walton)

COMMON TERNS…We are seeing fledglings at the water and hiding in plants.  Several pairs appear to be incubating eggs.

(photo by Rex Carpenter)

(photo by John Sutton)

BLACK SKIMMERS … We are seeing a few fledglings at the water with the big boys.  I keep waiting for the big skimmer chick parade to the water which should be happening soon.  I will let you know when “Skimmer School” starts!

(photo by Mary Ann Walton)

(photo by Mary Ann Walton)

(photo by Mary Ann Walton)

(photo by Mary Ann Walton)

(photo by Don Ellson)

(photo by Don Ellson)

(photo by Don Ellson)

(photo by Don Ellson)

(photo by Alex Sabbeth)

AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS … We have several oystercatchers hanging out at the colony but did not have any chicks this year.  Masonboro Island is having a record year with Oystercatcher fledglings and a great article appeared in the Lumina News.  Here is the link.

http://luminanews.com/2016/07/masonboros-oystercatcher-population-is-thriving/

VISITORS… Four Black Terns were spotted on July 4^th roosting in the colony.  Remarkably the Black Terns visited on 4^th of July weekend last year too!

A Roseate Tern also visited the colony.  We had not seen one before at SWB!

Great Black Backed Gulls are still hanging out causing mayhem for our sweet chicks but it seems to be slowing down.

(photo by Mary Ann Walton)

LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLE NESTING… We currently have 14 loggerhead nests on Wrightsville Beach which is the highest number of nests on Wrightsville since the 90s.  The record is 16 and turtles continue to nest until the end of August….we may break the record this year! 

There are five sea turtle nests on Lea-Hutaff Island which is the island that AudubonNC monitors for both birds and sea turtles.  Lea-Hutaff is the island between Figure 8 Island and Topsail Island.

BIRD WALKS … We will continue our Monday bird walks through August 15… and potentially through the end of August based on the birds in the area and travel commitments of our leaders!  Tell your family & friends.  Mondays at 9 AM at beach access 43!   Just meet us in the gazebo!