We had a large group of Black Skimmers, Royal Terns, Sandwich Terns, Common Terns and an American Oystercatcher family roosting in the posting on August 19 for our weekly bird walk. We still have smaller Black Skimmer and Common Tern chicks in the colony but they are growing rapidly and should all be able to fly soon. The Royal Terns and Sandwich Terns had juveniles with them. We also had a Black Tern make a surprise appearance and it was beautiful!
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| Young Black Skimmer chicks, 8/11 |
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| Common Tern chicks ready to fly, 8/11 |
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| Common Tern chick testing its wings,, 8/11 |
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| Common Tern fledglings, 8/24 |
(click on link to view video)
Three Great Black Gulls (2 adults and 1 juvenile) were also hanging out in front of a group of Black Skimmers outside the posting at the point along with a group of Laughing Gulls. The Great Black Backed Gulls appear to be stalking the Skimmer chicks.
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| Black Skimmer parents attacking Great Black-Backed Gull |
(click on link to view video)
The last official Bird Walk is planned for Monday, August 26. We have enjoyed sharing the nesting colony this year with hundreds of guests!
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