Every summer Nickerson beach in Long Island, New York is beaming with nesting shorebirds. First come the Oystercatchers and Piping Plovers in March and chicks hatch in early June. Then the terns with chicks hatching late June. And finally last to arrive are the Black Skimmers. Skimmers usually start courtship in mid June. They incubate the eggs for 23-25 days and during a typical year by early August most skimmer nests have at least one chick.

This year however has been all over the place. Prashant and I visited the beach mid July for the Terns (more on that in a separate post). And again late July hoping to see some early Skimmer hatchlings. But instead we came across some Skimmer couples still mating, an activity that should’ve completed in June.

Although disappointed that we didn’t see any skimmer chicks we did enjoy this courtship action. The male would bring a nice catch, call out for any takers. An interested female would approach cautiously, accepting the fish in exchange for mating rights. Didn’t know it came that cheap ;)

When we went back early August for chicks most nests were still incubating….understandably so cause most of them had just mated. We spent a lot of time just walking around the sites and finally found one nest out in the open. It was on the side of the site so not exactly prime spot from a light standpoint but we had to make it work. 

This nest had 2 chicks..maybe just a couple days old. So young that they were still learning how to feed. 

Really enjoyed the couple hours we spent with them, watching them waddle, learn how to feed, flap their tiny wings, fight, fall and show some love.

We were lucky to spend some alone, quiet time with them. Eventually most photographers on the beach took notice and crowded the place, got really loud and close. Too close for the skimmer’s comfort. The birds got disturbed and had to move further into the grasses. 

How would you feel if someone came inside your house, crossed into your comfort zone just to take a picture of your new born? And for what? some instagram likes? Sometimes we forget that we owe the same courtesy to these birds and end up encroaching upon their homes. For anyone reading this, please please respect the birds and their space. Don’t get too close to the barriers. If you don’t have a long lens and do need to get close to the barrier, please sit down and crawl or walk on your knees as you do. Stay as quiet as possible and never ever cross the barriers. Remember, its their home and you are an uninvited guest!

We are glad we did not give up on this nest because shortly after that tropical storm Isaias caused severe damage to a lot of the nests. When we went back a week later, most of the nests that were out in the open were gone. A lot of the grass bed was destroyed. Skimmers that had chicks had moved their nests further into the grasses. And it looked like a lot of the nests had lost their eggs cause in mid august we came across at least 4 mating couples that were starting all over again :( 

More from that visit later..

This year has been quite unfortunate for the Skimmers but hopefully the chicks that have hatched will be lucky enough to grow into healthy adults!