Lots of Action in the Colony!

We’d like to extend a big THANK YOU to the students and faculty at Wrightsville Beach Elementary School for another spectacular batch of posting signs that will help visitors to the south end understand and respect the importance of the boundary around the nesting colony area.  

American Oystercatchers – We saw six Oystercatchers Monday night including one banded with CT4 and another banded CWC.  CKX is also in the posting.  Interesting fact…CT4 & CKX were both banded as adult birds while nesting on the south end of Wrightsville Beach. 

 
On Sunday (5/4) our Audubon biologist did a nest check at sunrise and discovered two Oystercatcher nest, that means we have EGGS!  As soon as the nests can be seen from outside the posting, we will let all of you know! We know there is a good possibility of a third nest but weren’t able to find it Sunday since the Oystercatcher tracks had been cleared because of the rain.

Black Skimmers – There were 306 Black Skimmers in the colony on both Saturday and Sunday.  The Skimmers are coupling up and have begun courtship behaviors including fish presentations and are mating on the beach for all to see!   
We believe nesting has begun with the Skimmers.  Our biologist chose not to disturb the front of the colony when she was doing her nest check on Sunday.

Look for the Common Terns nesting among the Black Skimmers

Common Terns –  Five pairs of Common Terns have been seen in the posted area and one pair has a nest on top of one of the high dunes.   Scan the dunes and the area on the front of the dunes behind the Skimmers and you will see the Common Terns.

Least Terns – We are excited to see some Least Terns in the colony and it appears that more are coming each day.  We have seen approximately 25 Least Terns courting, scraping and/or nesting in the sand in the front of the Black Skimmers on all three sides in the sand.  Using your binoculars look closely in the sand and shells because they blend in perfectly.

Starting 9AM Monday May 6, join the Wrightsville Beach Bird Stewards for a free walk around the posted area and watch the nesting season unfold! @ Wrightsville Beach Access #43.