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| photos by Lindsay Addison |
Our NC Audubon biologist Lindsay Addison checked on the status of the Oystercatcher nests last night (5/19/21) and took these adorable pictures to share of CT4's new chicks. The other nest on the inlet side is still being incubated and the good news is there are still 3 eggs in that nest.
Least Terns
Incubation continues for the Least Terns and most of the day is spent protecting their chicks from predators.
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| There are hundreds of Least Tern nests on the beach. |
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| Some nests are in the vegetation but most are on the open beach. |
As the days become hotter, you will see the parent birds continuing to protect their chicks from heat stress by shading them or standing close to the chicks as the chicks seek shelter/shade by a nearby plant.
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| Shelters have been placed on the beach to help the chicks find refuge from predators and the intense sun. |
Ruddy Turnstones, Ghost crabs, various gulls, and crows continue to seek out Least Tern eggs and chicks.
Gull-billed Terns
A beachgoer, Liling Warren, took an outstanding photograph of a Gull-billed Tern returning from the marsh with a mud crab.
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| photo by Liling Warren |
The Gull-billed Tern will look for mud crabs and lizards and various insects….but it appears that the Gull-Billed Terns are also seeking out the Least Tern chicks. We were hoping that would not be the case on the south end because of the easy access to the marshes. You may notice the Gull-billed Terns circling the colony with their bills aimed toward the ground looking for chicks. In the event they swoop down, the Least Tern parents will mob the Gull-billed Tern.
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| Tom Hanna was able to catch the Gull-billed Terns in their obvious hunting mode as they looked for Least Tern chicks. (photos by Tom Hanna) |
So although the Least Terns and Gull-billed Terns peacefully share a page in David Sidlbey's Sibley Birds East, they are not peacefully sharing the colony.
Black Skimmers
Courtship, mating, nesting and incubating are all continuing with the Black Skimmers
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| Black Skimmers exhibiting "mobbing" behavior |
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| Skimmers can be seen nesting throughout the colony. |
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| photo by Karen Lorenzo |
Other observations...
If you haven't had an opportunity to get to the beach yet this season here are two very helpful signs to summarize what is happening.
And finally... last week I watched an interesting form of courtship between two Least Terns as they seem to perform a ritualistic head movement right before mating. Today I saw it again and was able to film the event. Perhaps this is part of their foreplay:)
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