Skimmer School Is In Full Swing

Least Terns

It appears that just about all of the Least Terns have left the colony.

During our Monday bird walk this morning, we spotted one Least Tern on the inlet side with a fledgling.  The remaining Least Tern parent was very vocal and aggressive in protecting its young.

photo by Bill Segur

photo by Bill Segar

  

Black Skimmers

The Black Skimmers are busy feeding chicks all day and evening both inside and outside of the posting!  Simply watch a Skimmer returning to the colony with a fish, and it will lead you directly to its chick.    

A number of the Black Skimmer juveniles are now flying with more of them stretching their wings and trying to get some air as the parents fly around enticing them with a tasty morsel!  It is always impressive to see an adult fly alongside its chick and encourage it to attempt to fly over the water and skim.   We have seen adolescent skimmers practicing their skimming skills too.   

photo by Jen Johnson

photo by Tom Hanna

  

photo by Bill Segur

photo by Bill Segur

Several Black-backed Gulls have been hanging around the colony eyeing the Skimmer chicks.  But the parents are very aggressive in their defense of the chicks!

Oystercatchers

We have not seen any sign of the Oystercatcher nest that was observed the first week of July on the ocean side. However Oystercatchers continue to appear in the colony and fly noisily overhead.

Common Terns

 We have recently seen several Common Tern adults and at least four large fledglings.   

photo by Bill Segur

The Common Terns are very protective and quickly respond to stewards or the public if they get too close to the area where their chicks are located. 

photo by Bill Segur

Common Tern chicks have been seen along the shoreline. Perhaps they are almost ready to try their wings.

The free Monday morning Bird Walks will continue until mid-August.  Hope you can join us. And the magnificent sunsets will continue and continue and continue