My last post from Nickerson Beach, Long Island, NY featured common terns. This one features Black Skimmers who also nest at Nickerson Beach. There were three colonies of Black Skimmers each about 500 individuals which is the normal numbers. Sadly the Common Terns numbers were way down. In past years there have been two to three thousand yet this year it seemed to be less than one thousand. Possibly more are still arriving as everything is late this year. It was 72f and sunny at Nickerson Beach with a delightful off shore breeze and this felt great as it was already 90f when I left my home which is inland. That big temperature difference lead to some very heavy thunder storms and flooding in NYC later in the day. The weather has been ridiculous with yesterday's high at my home 55f. It we should have a high of 80f this time of year. Back to the birds I did not observe any skimming while I was at the beach. That type of photo will have to wait for another day.
Comments and suggestions welcome,
Morris
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3) American Oystercatcher in the background
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5) Over the nesting area
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7) The nesting area with the dunes in the background
