Hope Continues For Our Struggling Colony

Challenges to a successful nesting colony on the South End of Wrightsville Beach continue, but our Black Skimmers and Common Terns continue to make scrapes, lay eggs and are not giving up!  We remain hopeful!

The Black Skimmers seem to enjoy posing for pictures...

photo by Michelle Frazier

photo by Michelle Frazier

Lindsay Addison, Coastal Biologist for Audubon NC, conducted a nest check very early Tuesday morning (6/5) and here are the latest results…

The Common Terns continue to lose nests to avian predation (probably crows) but we now have 4 active Common Tern nests.  We have between 5 to 7 pairs of Common Terns at the colony.  Our most visible Common Tern nest is on the top of the dune right in the middle of the sandy opening at the inlet as you look into the posting from the string. 

 We expect chicks very soon from the first nest recorded.  This particular nest is on the sandy vegetated dune on the left among the Black Skimmer nesting area -- looking into the posting from that same spot!

photos by Jackson Travis

photo by Michelle Frazier

Our three American Oystercatcher nests that were right around hatching appear to have failed….but Lindsay found one new nest! We have seen 5-6 Oystercatchers hanging out on the beach by the inlet.

photos by Tom Hanna

photos by Kevin Giannini

photos by Jackson Travis

The 12 Black Skimmer nests that Lindsay marked last week to monitor productivity have had severe damage…Likely from disturbance.   The skimmers lost half the nests that were marked on her nest check last week which is an unusually high percentage.  Lindsay counted seven predated eggs, all probably crows because they have holes pecked in them, and 11 abandoned eggs from 9 or 10 nests.  Some of the marked nests are just empty with no eggs in sight.

photos by Kevin Giannini

photos by Jackson Travis

photos by Jackson Travis

photos by Leigh Gill

THE GOOD NEWS!  The Black Skimmers are not giving up as we now have approximately 30 active nests and the Black Skimmers are still scraping and laying eggs.   Six pairs of Black Skimmers have appeared on Masonboro Island this week… likely from the south end.














On Monday morning, 6/4, Willet chicks were seen strolling along the beach with a parent.

photos by Kevin Giannini

photos by Jackson Travis

A special thanks to the fifth grade classes at Wrightsville Beach Elementary School for designing the pictures on our postings!  They enjoyed coming to the beach to see how their signs help protect the colony.  Our shore birds gave them a warm welcome!

photos by Michelle Frazier

Challenging Conditions for the Colony But Our Birds Persevere!

Our Wrightsville Beach South End nesting colony has been facing extreme challenges this year as a result of the dredge project removal of last year’s nesting area and predation by crows and gulls.  Nesting has been delayed because of consistent disturbance, but the birds are very committed to successfully nesting this year and continue to persevere.

Lindsay Addison, our friend and Coastal Biologist for Audubon NC conducted a nest check on Tuesday night (5/29) and here are the latest results…

The Common Terns have already lost two nests to avian predation (probably crows).  We now have three Common Tern nests.  Our most visible Common Tern nest is on the top of the dune right in the middle of the sandy opening between the dunes at the inlet as you look into the posting from the string.

photos by Mary-Ann Walton

Our three American Oystercatcher nests that were right around hatching appear to have failed. Avian predation is exacerbated by disturbance because when adults are flushed, crows or gulls will take the opportunity to come in and grab eggs or young chicks.  We thought one of the nests had hatched a chick, but we have not seen an adult Oystercatcher returning to the nesting colony with food for the chick.  If you notice an Oystercatcher returning to the colony with food, please let us know right away!

photos by Mary-Ann Walton

The Black Skimmer nesting was a little delayed this year, likely due to the changes to their habitat, and we don’t want disturbance to delay them further. As a result, we are working hard to minimize disturbance to the colony.  Black Skimmers have just started laying eggs, so incubation will last approximately three weeks.  Lindsay counted approximately 25 nests so far on Tuesday and marked 12 nests to monitor productivity.  So far, our high count of adult Black Skimmers is 246, so it will again be one of the larger colonies in the state.

Least Terns are not nesting on the South End this year but a nice nesting colony is easily viewed and photographed on the north end of Wrightsville Beach by the Shell Island Resort and Mason Inlet.

photos by Mary-Ann Walton

A Memorial Day Weekend Preview

Common Terns are incubating eggs and a new couple has chosen a spot to nest right in the “emergency” driveway just up from the police cones by the inlet.  They are easy to see and have been active with couple bonding, i.e., “feeding” activity.

Common Terns on nest exhibiting couple bonding activity (pair feeding).
photo by Bill Segur

Common Terns on nest
photo by Bill Segur

Another Common Tern nest can be seen if you look closely to the left in the dunes.

Oystercatchers are incubating eggs and two nests are visible from outside the posting.  One by the inlet and one ocean/jetty side.  Scan the tops of dunes!

photo by Bill Segur

We had Black Skimmers hanging out with the decoys this week!  There were 40+ Black Skimmers hanging out in the front by access 43.

An occasional Least Tern has been seen checking out the decoys as well!

One of these birds is NOT like the others!

Black Skimmers continue courtship and scraping on the beach and in the posted area by the inlet. 

There is a good chance that Willet chicks will soon be seen walking along the beach.  There are several Willet pairs who are making themselves HEARD as they dive at people walking near the dunes.

And if the Memorial Day crowds keep you from the beach this weekend, here is a short video of what is happening!

A Virtual Visit to the South End of Wrightsville Beach

(click link to see video)

Viewing Guide for Our Beach Guests

There is a lot of "bird action" to see out at the south end of Wrightsville Beach right now.  Here are some pictures of what is waiting for you and a guide to help you find the American Oystercatcher and Common Tern nests in the dunes. 

Hope to see you out on the beach soon.

About halfway around the beach you will find these cones and posts that will help you locate a Common Tern and an American Oystercatcher nest.  Both are easily visible with binoculars!
Notice the Black Skimmers in the center.  We have scrapes and are eagerly waiting for nests.

American Oystercatcher Nest

Common Tern Nest

Black Skimmer Action

Black Skimmer courting behavior is encouraging!
(photo by Renee Tevelow)

Beachside Views

American Oystercatcher hanging out on the beachside with the Black Skimmers

Common Tern on guard duty 

Other Guests Include...

Least Terns

Least Terns were seen courting in the area.
(photo by Renee Tevelow)

 Willets

(photo by Renee Tevelow)

..... and Ruddy Turnstones