Some Disappointments and Some Good News

photo by Kathy Hannah

We have good news and bad news with this update…

NEST CHECK NUMBERS…Lindsay, our NC Audubon biologist, was able to do a nest check the morning of 5/30 and we have some very disappointing numbers.

 LEAST TERNS (LETE) 

The Least Terns disappeared over the stormy holiday weekend. The weather probably played a large role, as they were in an exposed area and unless they are able to sit tight on their nests, they are easily blown over. Any flushing of the adults would also leave them vulnerable to predators like ghost crabs and Ruddy Turnstones.  We do not have any Least Terns nesting at this time.

COMMON TERNS (COTE) 

Common Tern chicks can be seen on top of the dunes ocean (east) side and on the inlet (west) side.  We have about 4 Common Tern nests throughout the posting and we have seen just a couple of chicks.

photo by Monica Ramanathan

photo by Tom Hanna

photo by Tom Hanna

photo by Tom Hanna

BLACK SKIMMERS (BLSK)

Lindsay counted 52 Black Skimmer nests that have been depredated by Ruddy Turnstones and only 2 active nests remain. Three chicks were seen on the inlet side in one nest on Sunday and Monday on top of the dune; however, they were not there today.

photo by Kathy Hannah

photo by Maxine Hannah 

photo by Kathy Hannah

photo by Kathy Hannah

photo by Kathy Hannah

We observed a few Black Skimmer pairs doing fish presentations and mating activity, which are signs of re-nesting to come, but most of the Black Skimmers gathered together on the inlet side of the posting appear to be grieving.

AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHERS (AMOY) 

GOOD NEWS!  We have two Oystercatcher pairs with chicks!!

 

The first pair (unbanded and banded EMY) are feeding two chicks on the inlet (west) side of the posting.  The oystercatcher family is so adorable and the parents work together so well.

 

The second pair is on the ocean (east) side. On 5/30 at 10:30 am, the pair that are both banded (CT4 and CF0) were seen. One parent was seen trying to encourage the chick to follow it to the water’s edge. 

The banded pair were seen together on the ocean (east) side of the nesting colony that same afternoon. Bird Steward Steve Haley was able to get photos! This pair has not raised a chick in a few years, but hopefully they will succeed this year.

photo by Steve Haley

photo by Steve Haley 

WHAT DO THE CHICKS NEED?

One of the biggest threats to nesting birds is disturbance by people. When parents are disturbed, they are separated from their eggs or chicks and prevented from taking care of them. This can lead to heat stress, predation, or other harm! 

So what is disturbance?? It’s any activity that interrupts what the birds were doing before… 

• getting too close to take photos, 
• walking through a flock, 
• flying a kite over the colony, 
• standing too close, 
• moving around too much (especially moving directly towards them rather than diagonally),
• standing between the birds and the water so that the parent birds will not escort their chick to the water

many different things can cause disturbance.

As it warms up, parent birds work hard to get their chicks to the water to drink and cool their bodies. 

Please stop at a safe distance and enjoy this unique opportunity to see this behavior…  

We want each of you to enjoy these priceless moments!

Finally… although this week has brought some disappointments there is always beauty to be seen at the south end of Wrightsville Beach. 

Check out these stunning  reflections by Tom Hanna!

WE HAVE CHICKS!

 

Common Tern Family
photo by Kathy Hannah

COMMON TERN

The first Common Tern chick of the 2023 nesting season was able to be seen from outside the posting on Wednesday, May 24.  Since then other chicks have appeared, lots of eggs are being carefully tended, and we have photos and videos to share what’s happening  

Common Tern protecting chick during Friday evening’s wind and rain, 5/26
photo by Camille Daniels 

photo by Nancy Arehart

photo by Nancy Arehart

photo by Nancy Arehart

photo by Nancy Arehart

photo by Nancy Arehart

photo by Kathy Hannah

Common Tern sitting on eggs 
photo by Kathy Hannah

Videos are a great way to visit the nesting colony from the comfort of your living room.

This video shows the Common Terns co-parenting their new chick. They take turns caring for their chicks. One stays on the nest while the other goes looking for food and then they often reverse roles. 

AMERICAN OYSTERCATCHER 

The Oystercatcher pair CT4 & CFO nested in the interior of the posting oceanside in front of the tallest dunes in an open area. This morning (5/26/23) the two “twin” chicks were seen walking with the parents deep inside the posting. Watch for the parents coming in with food and you may see them. 

These next two photos were taken Friday evening, 5/26. Oystercatcher parents still keeping their chicks deeper inside the posting. 

photo by Camille Daniels 

photo by Camille Daniels 

BLACK SKIMMERS AND LEAST TERNS

We have not seen any Black Skimmer or Least Tern chicks yet, but they should be hatching soon. Keep looking! Watch for parent birds bringing in food..

Least Tern sitting on eggs
photo by Nancy Arehart

photo by Nancy Arehart

 

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.