Another New Season of Shore Bird Adventures Begins

The posting to protect the nesting shorebirds at the south end of Wrightsville Beach went up on April 3rd.

We have had over 200 Black Skimmers, 7 American Oystercatchers, 25 Least Terns, 6 Common Terns and 3 Willets checking out our beach looking for suitable nesting areas.

American Oystercatcher

Black Skimmers

photo by Jin Bian

Common Terns

We have been observing courtship behaviors as the birds do their “fish presentation” 

Least Terns

Our Audubon biologists conducted a nest check on Friday, April 19^th and discovered that we have lots of courtship activity happening in the posted area.  They found several Oystercatcher scrapes (these “scrapes” become “nests” after an egg is laid). Least Terns have been seen creating scrapes as well.

                                             (Click twice to view video.) 

They also discovered the first “nest” in the posting – a Willet nest with 2 eggs!!!  We expect 1 or 2 more eggs in that particular nest. 

Willets

photo by Maxine Miller

FIRST BIRD WALK FOR THE 2019 SEASON... Monday, May 6 at 9 AM

Our first official Audubon Bird Walk for the Town of Wrightsville Beach is scheduled for Monday, May 6 at 9 AM.  We always meet at the gazebo at beach access 43.  Invite your family and friends!