Sunday, June 7, 2020

Lots to See At the South End of Wrightsville Beach

American Oystercatchers


One of the parents can often be seen standing guard at the top of a dune.
photo by Tom Hanna






photo by Tom Hanna


Three American Oystercatcher chicks in one family are busy eating and learning to find their own food.  Watch for parents bringing them down to the water's edge during low tide.  One chick is noticeably smaller than the other two but is still doing well.

photo by Kathy Hannah

photo by Kathy Hannah































Common Terns

The Common Terns are the most aggressive birds on the south end.  They are often seen sitting on the posting and will not hesitate to dive at you if they think you are too close.  This is especially true now that they have chicks. 
photo by Tom Hanna

photo by Tom Hanna

photo by Tom Hanna


The Common Tern chicks are often hiding in the vegetation on the dunes but are quick to appear when food arrives.
Look closely to see the three eggs in the front right of this nest.
photo by Kathy Hannah














photo by Kathy Hannah

















photo by Kathy Hannah

photo by Kathy Hannah

photo by Kathy Hannah

photo by Kathy Hannah

photo by Kathy Hannah

photo by Tom Hanna
















Black Skimmers

There are a lot of Black Skimmer nests (134 as of 6/1) and many of the eggs have hatched.  It is always great entertainment to see these comical chicks running around.

photo by Tom Hannaki

photo by Kathy Hannah

This Black Skimmer is standing guard over its nest with two visible eggs as the Common Tern comes too close.
photo by Kathy Hannah

Black Skimmer successfully chases the Common Tern away from its nest.
photo by Kathy Hannah

photo by Kathy Hannah

photo by Kathy Hannah

photo by Kathy Hannah

















Least Terns

Although there is still some Least Tern courting going on the majority of them are either sitting on nests or bringing in fish for their chicks.
Courting Ritual
photo by Kathy Hannah

photo by Kathy Hannah

The "condos" are back. These structures give the chicks some refuge when the temperatures soar.
photo by Kathy Hannah












There are A LOT of Least Tern chicks in the nesting area.
photo by Kathy Hannah

Watch video using full screen to see and hear the excitement of the Least Tern Colony.

Video by Kathy Hannah

Others

We had a visit from a Black Tern June 5.
photo by Kathy Hannah

Green Herons can frequently be seen flying over the colony.
Several are nesting in the trees near the Coast Guard Center.
photo by Kathy Hannah



What to do if you find an injured bird

A severely injured Least Tern was taken from the south end of Wrightsville Beach to Skywatch on Thursday. A follow up email from Skywatch included this attachment which we am sharing with all of you!