Gull-Billed Terns Have Returned

Gull-billed terns had not been seen nesting in the colony at the south end of Wrightsville Beach for ten years.  Then last year there were 8 nesting pairs! We are excited to announce that they are back!  Three pairs were seen this week. The Gull-billed tern is stockier and larger than the Common Tern.  It stands pretty even with the Black Skimmer.  The key identifying characteristic is the short thick black bill and black legs.  Have fun looking for it!  The Gull-billed Terns have been seen with the Black Skimmers. 

Meanwhile over 300 Black Skimmers and over 200 Least Terns have been seen in "couples"  The courtship fish presentations and mating is in full swing at the south end. Least Terns have begun sitting on nests.  Common Terns are in the vegetation.  

Black Skimmers are protective of their nests and will
utilize group mobbing to protect the nests.

Common Terns nesting in the dunes.

Common Tern's courtship fish presentation

Least Tern sitting on a nest

American Oystercatchers are nesting in the dunes.
The pair take turns sitting on the eggs.
The other will feed alone once the tide drops enough for it to find food.

Besides our nesting Black Skimmers, Least and Common Terns, American Oystercatchers and Gull-billed Terns other birds can often be seen on the beach.

The Royal Terns have a black crest and a bright orange bills.
Sandwich Terns have a ragged black crest and
a gleaming black bill with a sharp yellow tip.

Willet

Ring-billed gull

a pair of Herring Gulls

This photo of the full moon was taken on Monday, 4/26. The full moon in April is called the Pink Moon and is named after the herb moss pink also known as creeping phlox. This plant is native to the eastern United States and is one of the earliest widespread flowers of spring.

photo by Marlene Eader

The next full moon can be seen May 26th.  May is most notable for being the turning point in the year where temperatures rise and vast variety of flowers come into full bloom, letting the world break out into a riot of color.  As such, May's full moon has come to be know as the Full Flower Moon. 

Hope you find a chance to get to the beach and see all of this!