It’s an EGG-cellent Time to Visit the Beach!

Least Tern Nest
Photo by Kathy Hannah

 Shorebirds have been arriving at the south end of Wrightsville Beach since early April.  There has been a lot of courting (fish presentation) and mating in the last few weeks.  

Least Terns courting
Photo by Camille Daniels

The next stage is for them to make a simple scrape in the sand or other substrate, sometimes with pebbles, shells, or bits of vegetation added. And once eggs appear we have an official nest!

There are dozens of nests on the beach right now! Least Terns, Common Terns, Black Skimmers, American Oystercatchers, and Willets are all sitting on nests waiting for their eggs to hatch. 

Common Tern
Photo by Kathy Hannah

Can you see the egg under this Least Tern?
Photo by Camille Daniels 

Black Skimmer egg that was predated by a predator.
Photo by Kathy Hannah

It is amazing how the eggs are camouflaged. We were concerned that there may be a Least Tern nest outside the posting.  Our WBBS found a nest when the parents started scolding them.  This nest had only one egg up to this point and could have so easily been walked on. The second picture - wide angle shot is only 4 feet back.  Look hard and you will see the egg.  It blends in too well.

Photo by Camille Daniels 

Photo by Camille Daniels 

This is a great reminder why it is so important to pay attention any time the birds are flying towards you. They are urging you to “BACK OFF”.  The birds abandon their eggs and future chicks in this “mobbing” behavior as their only defense of the colony. Please listen to them and keep a safe distance away. 

Photos and story by Camille Daniels 

Dozens of Least Terns nesting
Photo by Kathy Hannah 

Common Terns nesting in background 
Photo by Kathy Hannah

American Oystercatcher at shoreline while mate is sitting on nest in the dunes. 
Photo by Camille Daniels 

Here are some videos so you see and hear what’s happening in the colony  

Chicks should be appearing very soon!!!

Black Skimmer and American Oystercatcher Nests Found

Photo by Evan Mauk

Lindsay Addison, our Audubon NC Coastal Biologist, did a nest check on the south end yesterday morning (Friday 4/28) and we now officially have SCRAPES WITH EGGS, i.e., NESTS!!  Lindsay discovered both Black Skimmer nests and Oystercatcher nests!

We have been witnessing courtship behaviors all week and have had a number of photographers already visiting the nesting colony.  The Black Skimmers and Common Terns have been busy with pair bonding, fish presentations and mating.  

AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS – Both pairs of Oystercatchers have nests!  Oystercatcher banded EMY and mate who are seen on the inlet side have now nested.   EMY is the adult Oystercatcher that had a successful fledging in 2021.  The nest is in the interior of the posting on the inlet side

Oystercatcher pair banded CT4 and CFO have been seen ocean side and their nest is in front of the tallest dunes and relatively close to the Black Skimmers.  We have not had an Oystercatcher nest visible from outside of the posting for many years so this is very exciting.

Photo by Evan Mauk

Photo by Evan Mauk 
Look closely and you will see a transmitter on the back of this Oystercatcher. 
NC Audubon in partnership with others is conducting a movement research project on American Oystercatchers in NC. 

On Friday (4/28) afternoon and 5 Oystercatchers were seen in the posting …so there is a possibility of another pair claiming a territory in the posted area.  We have plenty of room for a few more pairs of Oystercatchers! 

BLACK SKIMMERS – Black Skimmers have been arriving in groups since mid April. We try to count them, but it is extremely difficult when they are paired up in the vegetation!  When they are by the water it is possible at that time to see if any birds have bands on their legs.  

These next photos show two skimmers with bands…P3 and R9!  Our Skimmer chicks from the past few years are returning!

Photo by Hongjin Bian

Photo by Hongjin Bian

Photo by Hongjin Bian

Photo by Hongjin Bian

Photo by Hongjin Bian

Photo by Evan Mauk 

Photo by Evan Mauk 

Photo by Evan Mauk 

COMMON TERNS – Six pairs of Common Terns were on the beach Friday, 4/28.  Pair bonding and mating continues and it appears incubation of eggs is underway!

Photo by Evan Mauk 

Photo by Evan Mauk 

LEAST TERNS – We continue to see a handful of Least Terns fishing and flying overhead, but have not seen any in the nested area this week.

PUBLIC BIRD WALKS START MONDAY – 

 Free bird walks to the south end nesting area for the public every Monday at 9 AM beginning, this Monday, May 1 until mid-August.  Join us!  Invite your friends & family!!  We will meet at the gazebo at Beach Access 43.

Nesting Shorebirds Arriving at South End of Wrightsville Beach

AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS – The Oystercatcher banded EMY and “unbanded” mate who are seen consistently on the inlet side have been making scrapes, but our NC Audubon biologist has not seen any eggs.   EMY is the adult Oystercatcher that had a successful fledging in 2021.  

Oystercatcher banded CT4 and mate CF0 have been seen ocean side.  CT4 nested last year but lost the chicks within days.

Remember the birds may practice making scrapes during courtship, but scrapes are only considered “nests” once they have eggs in them.

BLACK SKIMMERS – Black Skimmers have been arriving in groups.  We counted 122 this week!

Five Black Skimmers with black leg bands were seen at the water’s edge which mean they were banded in North Carolina by our NC Audubon biologist, Lindsay, and her coast team in the last few years.  These birds were banded as chicks and have returned!  How cool is that!

COMMON TERNS – You may see the Common Terns on the signs and several pairs have begun fish presentations and courtship activity.  Three pairs were seen in the interior of the posting close to the high dunes.

LEAST TERNS – A handful of Least Terns have been seen flying over the south end with fish!  A significant group of Least Terns is present on the north end of Wrightsville Beach and New Hanover County has extended the north end posting to accommodate the bird activity.

OTHER GUESTS — Several pairs of Willets are in the dunes and we hope to see them on the shoreline with their chicks in a few weeks. 

Groups of Royal Terns and Sandwich Terns
have also visited the nesting area.