Lots of Skimmers, a Growing Common Tern Chick, and a Walk on the North End

LOTS of skimmers have been hanging out on the ocean side of Masonboro Inlet and the fledgling chicks have been busy learning to skim along the beach.

Skimmers gather on the beach
(photo by Laura Scullin)

Skimmers outside the posting, enjoying the beach
(photo by Laura Scullin)

Adults are still bringing in fish for their chicks.

Skimmer chicks flapping their wings

a hop, skip, and a jump = almost flying!

It was fun watching the chicks chowing down among the adults.

seemingly insatiable appetites

graceful flights

Around sunset the dozens of adults were flying in from the sound.

good comparison of chick and adult Black Skimmer

on the right a skimmer chick is practicing skimming

This chick is still too young to fly.

 Last week we had two brand new common tern chicks on the sound side of the inlet. It must have been a busy week of feeding because the chick has almost doubled in size.

The chick hangs out in the shade of the dunes on a hot day.

The adult common tern chick is still quite vigilant.

feeding time

a family portrait

common tern chick posing for a picture

 Early Sunday morning I took a walk on the north end of Wrightsville Beach... and what to my wondering eyes should appear......

Oystercatchers

 and Royal Terns (with one Sandwich Tern on the left)

These three Royal Terns would have posed for hours!

Friday Bird Walk Brings New Surprises

This morning during our weekly Friday Bird Walk we watched two brand new common tern chicks on the beach. They were hatched earlier this week and brought a new "cuteness" to the dune line.

We also watched our oystercatcher chick (CKK) take flight for the first time! It happened just moments after I took this picture. Both parents seemed to chase the chick on the beach until it flew off in a big circle!

And as always the American Skimmers entertained us!

A final highlight of the morning was seeing these Green Heron chicks in their nest:)

Hope you can join us next week!

Editorial - Any change to monitoring requirement must protect shorebirds

An editorial from today's StarNews

New Hanover County made a 30-year commitment to monitor and protect migratory shorebirds that nest on the north end of Wrightsville Beach and the southern end of Figure Eight Island. That stipulation was part of the permit allowing the county to move Mason Inlet to save the Shell Island Resort and nearby properties from the encroaching ocean. Now the county wants to break its commitment – at least the part that requires counting nests and eggs.

The federal and state agencies involved in those discussions must ensure that any changes allowed do not weaken protections for the birds and their nests.

Fortunately, the decision on whether to grant that request will come only after careful consideration by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Army Corps of Engineers. The fish and wildlife agency wrote the finding that required a 30-year monitoring agreement, and it will undertake another study to determine what protections are still appropriate.

Several species of shorebirds that nest at Wrightsville Beach and Figure Eight are protected by federal law. Among them are the American oystercatcher, the least tern, the black skimmer and the piping plover, which is considered a threatened species. These birds happen to like the same sandy habitat as beach lovers, so it's important to prevent people from trampling nests.

Better signs and barriers could make visitors more aware that they are sharing the beach with protected migratory shorebirds, and the penalties for disturbing the nests.

The cost of monitoring, as well as engineering and maintenance dredging, is borne by the Mason Inlet Preservation Group, a property owners organization that includes residents of the Shell Island Resort and other developments near the inlet. That was part of the deal – the inlet was relocated to save their property, which was built in an erosion-prone area.

County officials say the annual cost of monitoring is $20,000 to $25,000 annually; they believe that adequately trained volunteers may be able to keep track of the birds' nesting habits and educate beachgoers as to the need to stay out of the nesting area. The county would enlist more professional help during maintenance dredging and other activity that could disturb the shorebirds. Residents of Shell Island also may be willing to pitch in.

That could be a reasonable compromise, if those volunteers are as committed as those who carefully guard sea turtle nests and the new hatchlings' march to the sea. But the corps and the wildlife agency should review the success of such an effort on a regular basis and make any changes necessary to protect the birds.

County Wants Bird Monitoring Nixed

Lindsay Addison, coastal biologist with Audubon North Carolina,
walks near the bird nesting grounds at Wrightsville Beach on Tuesday.     Photo by Mike Spencer

New Hanover County Wants Bird Monitoring Requirements Nixed

Follow the link above to read an article in today's (7/5/14) Star News.

The Aftermath of Arthur (all good news)

Although Tropical Storm/Hurricane Arthur brought pounding surf, high winds, and some torrential rains, the nesting colony at the south end of Wrightsville Beach survived!  When several dedicated bird stewards arrived early Friday morning to access the damage only two posts needed to be replaced and all of the strings remained in place. These minor problems were quickly repaired and the Friday morning Bird Walk was held on schedule.

Although the 4th of July crowds began arriving en mass to head over to Masonboro Island our chicks/ fledglings remained undaunted. The only new challenge facing the shorebirds seemed to be coping with some small "cliffs" along the surf line.

Common tern fledglings learning to scale the new "cliffs"...

No 4th of July hot dog for this common tern.

Adult and fledgling common tern...

Common tern fledgling at the water's edge....

Common tern fledglings almost ready to catch their own fish.

Adult common tern and the "three amigos"

Skimmers over the sound...

Before the Storm

I was at the nesting colony late yesterday afternoon checking on how "prepared" our chicks were for the challenging weather conditions they are facing today as Tropical Storm/Hurricane Arthur approaches. I think our postings are in for some pounding but am optimistic that our chicks are getting stronger each day and will be able to find a safe place to ride out the wind, rain, and rising tides.

Here's what I saw....

Black Skimmers

Yep, those are feathers..... not fluffy chick fuzz!

Lunch!

When it's hot outside, it's time for a nap.

Chick imitating naptime

Thanks, mom!

Maybe if I get a running start.....

One of these times these wings are going to lift me up!

Common Terns

These are the "three amigos" who have been hanging out by the edge of the dune for several weeks.

Time to feed the chicks

Look at me... I'm turning into an adult!

I'm not sure who's looking at whom in this shot.

Those wings are ready to be used for more than stretching.

The "three amigos" learning to fly.

A great comparison of chick and adult

Common tern chicks are frequently seen at the water's edge

Tomorrow morning we"ll be at the gazebo for our Friday morning bird walk. 

Keeping our fingers crossed!