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THE PARENTS MODEL BEHAVIOR — BLACK SKIMMER CHICKS ARE LEARNING
HOW TO SKIM. THE CHICKS WILL BE OUT THERE PRACTICING. THE TERN CHICKS
ARE LEARNING HOW TO HOVER OVER THE WATER, WATCHING THE FISH.
STEWARDS have spotting scopes and visual
aids to share the challenges beach nesting
birds face when incubating eggs and rais-ing
their chicks on the hot sand on the busy
strand.
“These birds come in only to nest," Eader
says. “They will make the trip back in August.”
In the meantime, the parents teach the chick to fly and
to fish.
“The parents model behavior — black skimmer chicks
are learning how to skim. The chicks will be out there
practicing. The tern chicks are learning how to hover over
the water, watching the fish,” Eader says.
The weekly walk begins at 9 a.m. from the gazebo
at public beach access #43 on Wrightsville’s south end.
The walk is free but parking is quite limited and requires
a fee.
ALLISON POTTER
Clockwise from top: An American oystercatcher protects
two chicks. On Wrightsville’s south end, black skimmers
nest directly in the sand. A least tern nests in the sand.
Black skimmer parents take turns cooling off by the
water and guarding their nests.
ALLISON POTTER
www.wrightsvillebeachmagazine.com WBM