Outer Banks, NC ~ Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge

Yellow Legs & Black-necked Stilt

Yesterday evening we stopped at the North Pond of the Pea Island NWR and walked along the trail.  We saw some great birds but dusk was falling and we knew we needed more time to explore.  Up early this morning we arrived at the Salt Flats Wildlife Trail at about 8AM. As we walked the trail we could see shorebirds including a large flock of Avocets out in a pond area over the salt marsh.  The bugs were biting so bug jackets were a must.  While there we talked with a local who suggested we use the bird blind to get a closer look at the birds.  I was able to walk down onto the salt flat and get closer views of the birds including a Black Skimmer who spent about 15 minutes skimming for fish right in front of me.  It was an awesome experience. Then we went over to the North Pond wildlife trail where we saw a rare for them Lark Sparrow.  It was a great morning.

Yellow Legs & American Avocet

Black-necked Stilt

American Avocet

Black Skimmer skimming

Black Skimmer

Lark Sparrow

And more of the Meadows

Black Skimmer

Here are a few more pictures from 5/29 taken at the Meadows.  There were Black Skimmers, Killdeer and Glossy Ibis among the birds I saw and photographed.

Killdeer

Glossy Ibis

Black Simmers - Cape May Beach

The Black Simmers have arrived in Cape May.  I went over to see them skimming but the winds were really blowing and all of the birds were roosting facing away from the winds.  Pictured are a juvenile

Black Skimmer (top) and an adult Black Skimmer (middle) plus an adult preening (bottom).