The Least Tern chicks continue to grow and are running EVERYWHERE. Most precocious but need to get on with the business of surviving. Parents are still very vigilant and provide lots of little fish for nourishment. The chicks seem to have some survival instincts in that they frequently run for the small clumps of grasses available for both shade from the heat and protection from some predators. It still amazes me how very well camouflaged they are. Until you get used to seeing them, they’re almost invisible on the sand. Eggs are extremely difficult to spot.
The third photo is one of the ground predators - the dreaded ghost crab. This is what is called a mobbing for the adults trying to discourage him from grabbing one of the chicks and pulling it down in his hole. There are LOTS of them on the beach and many inside the posted area. I like this photo because it gives you a good idea of how big they are in comparison to the adult birds so you can imagine how vulnerable the chicks are to this villain.
The little guy in the next photo seems to be wanting to get on with flying lessons. He must have been one of the early hatchlings as he’s a bit bigger than some of the other chicks and ready to stretch his or her (tiny) wings.
The last photo is just another example of my fascination with the dedication of the pairs. You frequently see one of the adults with a little silver fish in it’s beak trying to feed either a mate or a chick.
No comments:
Post a Comment