One Step Back, Two Steps Forward

LEAST TERNS

photo by Elaine Perkinson

Can you find the chick taking shelter in the shade of the vegetation?
photo by Elaine Perkinson

The rain has been difficult for our birds this year and a large number of the Least Terns have re-nested.  We just had more Least Terns hatch in the last couple of days and they are in the group facing the inlet side... away from the point.  You may see Robert Snowden on that side of the posting observing them as a part of his UNCW Graduate study.  If you are unsure where to look to see a chick, just follow a Least Tern returning to the colony with a fish.  This parent will lead you right to their nest and you will be able to watch them feed their chicks.

The early nesters that were successful have fledglings that are visible and we have seen a high count of 12 fledglings so far.  

BLACK SKIMMERS

photo by Elaine Perkinson

photo by Elaine Perkinson

photo by Elaine Perkinson

photo by Elaine Perkinson

Black skimmers continue to mate, incubate, many eggs have hatched and there are many chicks.  We currently have 167 nests, i.e., 167 pairs and at least 334 Black Skimmers!  Many of the chicks can be seen under the parents in the nest scrape with a scope...which is so adorable.  Several chicks are now visible walking close to the parents outside the scrapes.

COMMON TERNS

We now have 14 Common Tern nests and some chicks have been spotted and are good size.  

OYSTERCATCHERS

One pair of Oystercatchers has re-nested closer to the nesting colony instead of behind the large dunes.  I am hopeful that they will be successful.  The pair is facing the ocean side and visible outside the posting!