Endangered Least Terns - July 3rd

Several endangered bird species nest on the beach in the old South Cape May, now called the Meadows. Least Terns are one of three bird species that nest on the beach. The other birds that nest there are Piping Plovers and American Oystercatchers. Another species the Black Skimmer have been showing interest in nesting there but so far no eggs have been found or chicks seen.

Because they are endangered species there are special areas of the beach closed off to traffic from April 1 through August 30th so they can nest in the area. Sometimes they ropes have to be moved as the birds don't always get the boundaries quite right. The birds have the right of way which is good.

When the Least Terns males are interested in mating they bring the females small fish and perform a ritual dance before giving her the fish and doing the deed. Once the eggs are laid and Mom is on the nest, the males stand guard and when anyone comes close to the area fly aggressively at that person. They will dive bomb them and have been known to let loose bird poo. 2011's males wre not as aggressive as 2010's males.

Last year I wasn't lucky enough to see any chicks but this year I saw 3 in spite of the fact the Least tern's lost many of their chicks to Fish Crows.

Hummers, Herons,Willets and Egrets - July 1

Another few hours of birding fun and photography occured July 1. I saw Hummingbirds squaring off while I was getting eaten alive by greenhead flies. Then it was a Black-crowned Night Heron that was up close and personal feeding in the marsh while the Willets were flying overhead. Also flying overhead were 2 Osprey that were carrying fish for their families. Finally a Snowy Egret was fishing along the side of a tidal pond in the marsh.

Osprey - June 30

I haven't been out to check out the Osprey in North Wildwood yet this year so today was the morning to go. I was there early waiting for Dad to bring home the breakfast and I wasn't disappointed iin his catch! Then Mom went to work feeding their chicks.

New birds in my backyard- June

My neighbors have a mulberry tree that the birds love to feast on when the berries are ripe which has helped to bring new birds into my backyard. I also think that cutting down all of the Autumn Olive trees that surrounded the backyard has opened it up and made it more friendly for visiting birds. New birds seen are Mockingbird, Catbird, Carolina Chickadee and Eastern Kingbird. 3 Pictures are Carolina Chickadee and the last is an Eastern Kingbird.

Diamondback Terrapin Turtles - June

May, June and July are the months the Diamondback Terrapin Turtle comes ashore from the Delaware Bay to lay their eggs in the marshlands that are around our county. You can find turtles in Reed's Beach, Stone Harbor, Benny's Landing Rd and many other areas. Many turtles are killed each year by drivers who don't see them as they cross the roads to the areas they lay their eggs. Early in June I was in Reed's Beach where I was able to "help" 2 turtles to cross the road safely. That's where my turtle pictures were taken though I have also seen many turtles at the end of Benny's Landing Rd.

Clapper Rails and their Babies - June 30

Since I didn't seee any Clapper Rails when I was out on the Skimmer I decided to try Benny's Landing Rd. I had so much good luck there a few weeks ago that surely those Clapper's must have had some babies.

I went out to the marshes 3 times over 2 days. The first time was mid afternoon and the next day I went before work about 8am and after work around 4:30pm. I saw several adult Clapper Rails and about 6-7 babies. I don't know how many families that encompasses but I really enjoyed the photo opportunities. One of my favorite shots were when a "little one" found a small fiddler crab bringing it out of the marsh and down to the water to wash it off before eating it.


Another time was when Mom (or Dad) was bathing down at the waters edge several of the chicks were watching them bathe and preen and then they tried it on their own. A great example of learning by example... Pictures are of the same.

Cruising for Chicks - Skimmer Salt Marsh Safari - 6/28

Every year the Skimmer has one night where they feature the chicks in the salt marsh. It was great night aboard the Skimmer. Everyone was so friendly and it was a party atmosphere with lots of facts thrown in by Captain Ginny and Captain Ed. They did their best showing us Common Terns and their chicks, Laughing Gulls and their chicks, Osprey and their chicks, Tri-colored Heron, Sandwich Tern, and American Oystercatchers. They did their best to find me some baby Clapper Rails but it was not to be.

First out of the dock we saw a Laughing Gull egg floating by on the water. Captain Ginny explained that at the time of the Full or new moon, the salt marsh floods and the eggs are lost from the nests. Laughing Gulls and Common Terns have the ability to renest and have another set of eggs. Pictured are Common Terns and their chicks.