American Oystercatchers
One of the parents can often be seen standing guard at the top of a dune.
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| photo by Tom Hanna |
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| 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.
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| photo by Kathy Hannah |
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photo by Kathy Hannah
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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.
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| photo by Tom Hanna |
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| photo by Tom Hanna |
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| 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.
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Look closely to see the three eggs in the front right of this nest.
photo by Kathy Hannah |
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| photo by Kathy Hannah |
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| photo by Kathy Hannah |
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| photo by Kathy Hannah |
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| photo by Kathy Hannah |
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| photo by Kathy Hannah |
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| photo by Kathy Hannah |
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| 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.
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| photo by Tom Hannaki |
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| photo by Kathy Hannah |
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This Black Skimmer is standing guard over its nest with two visible eggs as the Common Tern comes too close.
photo by Kathy Hannah |
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Black Skimmer successfully chases the Common Tern away from its nest.
photo by Kathy Hannah |
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| photo by Kathy Hannah |
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| photo by Kathy Hannah |
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| 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.
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Courting Ritual
photo by Kathy Hannah |
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| photo by Kathy Hannah |
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The "condos" are back. These structures give the chicks some refuge when the temperatures soar.
photo by Kathy Hannah |
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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
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We had a visit from a Black Tern June 5.
photo by Kathy Hannah |
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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 |
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