A Peaceful Ending for a Successful Nesting Season

 We are approaching the end of the nesting season and the bird posting has been pretty quiet.  

Last Wednesday, 8/18, one of our Wrightsville Beach Bird Stewards, Candance Gauthier wrote this summary after her time at the south end.  

“I was at the beach last night from 6 PM until 8:15 PM.  I went around the long way and was getting worried since I didn't see any birds for a long time.  Around the point, I saw about 30 Black Skimmers coming off the water at Banks Channel.  I saw one fledgling with them.  

 I found TEX alone on that side, too…just walking around on the sand.  Doubling back, I finally located one last Black Skimmer juvenile past the point, on the Inlet side.  He was sitting or walking on the beach by the vegetation, being protected by 3- 5 adults who were diving at me when I got too close. I stayed with him and saw him try to fly but he wasn't quite ready.

Later, I walked back around the point to check on Tex (banded ETX). I found him with his parent and they were walking around and finally they both took off, flying over the point toward the Inlet.

photo by Camille Daniels

photo by Camille Daniels

photo by Camille Daniels

photo by Camille Daniels

photo by Camille Daniels

photo by Camille Daniels

photo by Camille Daniels

 

BLACK SKIMMERS

As Candace mentioned above, we had one remaining Black Skimmer chick that was seen regularly at the point of the nesting colony protected by 3-4 adult Black Skimmers.  Then on Tuesday, 8/25, several Bird Stewards came across the Black Skimmer juvenile near the point on the inlet side.  The chick flew several times in response to folks walking down the beach toward him.  He flew probably the equivalent of about four posts from the post line on the inlet side to the beach near the water.  Then from one side of the point to the other side by the ocean.  He took off from there and did a loop through the posting and came back to the beach.  Again he flew down the beach to the point.  There he spent much of the time pancaked on the sand.  The parent(s) chased off gulls several times.  So it appears our last chick is ready to "leave the nest".

Our remaining Black Skimmer chick was banded by Lindsay on Tuesday, 8/17.  

OYSTERCATCHER

Our young Oystercatcher (banded ETX) aka “Tex” is flying across the inlet to the marsh and learning from its parent how to find and open bivalves, such as razor clams, oysters and mussels.

LEAST TERNS AND COMMON TERNS

Both Least Tern and Common Tern fledglings can often be seen on the beach as they perfect both their flying and fishing skills.

The posting is scheduled to be removed the Tuesday after Labor Day, 9/7.

We look forward to next April when the birds return!

End of Nesting Season Approaches

Photo by Mary-Ann Walton

We are approaching the end of the nesting season and the bird posting is quiet.   Important bird activity is still happening in the area of the south end!

WHERE ARE THE BIRDS???...

LEAST TERNS

Photo by Tom Hanna

The Least Terns have left the posting, but training of fledglings in fishing and strong flying skills is happening as they begin migration.  Feeding of fledglings by the parent birds will continue through migration as they improve their own fishing skills.

We have just a couple of fledglings remaining on the beach from the last nests that hatched by access 43 (Gazebo).  You may see those fledglings on the oceanfront area of the posting.

BLACK SKIMMERS

Black Skimmer photos by Tom Hanna

It appears that the “second phase” nests of Black Skimmers that were in the oceanfront area of the posting have failed.  No Black Skimmers have been seen in this area in several days.  Several days of heat index over 100 degrees and the torrential rains (my rain gauge reflected 11 ½ inches of rain in 3 days last week impacted the nesting.  As you know, temperature regulation of the eggs is critical during incubation for successful hatching, and the weather was too extreme.

Photo by Camille Daniels

The first group of Black Skimmers that nested are continuing the training of the Black Skimmer fledglings as they improve their skimming and flying skills in the inlet (Masonboro Inlet).  Many Black Skimmers can be seen across the inlet and on Masonboro Island.  Skimming also takes place in the local tidal creeks.

OYSTERCATCHERS

Our young Oystercatcher (banded ETX) aka “Tex” is flying across the inlet now and training with its parent in the marsh to learn how to find food during low tide.  Training takes place generally 2 hours before and after low tide.

Unsure of the timing of the High and Low Tides, look at the Tide chart for Masonboro Inlet in the Wrightsville Beach magazine or add an app to your phone…. I use the “My Tide Times” app.

You will see the Oystercatchers coming to the nesting area now to rest during High Tide and Mid Tide times.

Lots of Empty Nests = Another Successful Season

 

The bird posting may be quiet, but important bird activity is happening in the area of the south end!

LEAST TERNS

Most of the Least Terns have left the posting, but training of fledglings in fishing and strong flying skills is happening as they prepare for migration.  Feeding of fledglings by the parent birds will continue through migration as they improve their own fishing skills.

We have just a few fledglings remaining on the beach from the last nests that hatched by access 43 (Gazebo).  You will see those fledgling on the oceanfront beach in front of the new skimmer nesting area.

BLACK SKIMMERS

We have another group of about 31 Black Skimmers incubating eggs and caring for small chicks in the oceanfront area of the posting… so when you include the mates you will see about 68 Black Skimmers! 

The first group of Black Skimmers that nested are continuing the training of the Black Skimmer fledglings as they improve their skimming and flying skills in the inlet (Masonboro Inlet).  Many Black Skimmers can be seen across the inlet and on Masonboro Island.  Skimming also takes place in the local tidal creeks.

OYSTERCATCHERS

Our sweet young Oystercatcher (banded ETX) aka “Tex” is flying across the inlet now and training with its parent in the marsh to learn how to find food during low tide.  Training takes place generally 2 hours before and after low tide.