Summer at Wrightsville Beach provides one of the best experiences for seeing beach-nesting birds — but visitors may want to take the opportunity soon. Three unique species of bird will begin to migrate south with the onset of fall, one of which will go as far as Argentina.
Populations of least tern, common tern and black skimmer make their summer homes in the open, sandy areas at Wrightsville Beach’s north and south ends. These preserves provide a very important habitat for beach-nesting birds.
But according to coastal biologist Lindsay Addison with Audubon North Carolina, these three species will start to fly south as the summer comes to a close.
When to see the beach-nesting birds at Wrightsville Beach
While a deadline looms to see these species before the year is out, there’s still time left before they begin their migration.
Least terns — named for being the smallest species of tern — will be around through early August, when they leave for south Florida, the Caribbean basin, and northern regions of South America.
Common terns show up at Wrightsville Beach in April and will stay until early fall. Though they get their name from being widespread across the continent, they actually have a smaller population at Wrightsville Beach than other migratory species.
Black skimmers are perhaps the most visually distinct of the three species with their large, uneven bills and will stick around the longest. They spend their fall in North Carolina and are joined then by other skimmers from the north. They form what’s called a staging population as they wait to make their next move south sometime in late November or early December.
As far as what time of day to see the birds, “There’s something going on throughout the day,” Addison said. She did note, however, that mornings and evenings may provide the most activity.
Where to see the beach-nesting birds at Wrightsville Beach
The beach-nesting birds congregate in the open areas at either end of Wrightsville Beach. That said, the south end is likely the best place to see them.
According to Addison, the birds prefer open areas because it allows them to see predators coming. While coyotes prey on these birds in the north end preserve, the opposite and more developed end of the island is free of them.
Because mammalian predators are difficult to control in the areas they populate, this makes the south end quite the valuable habitat for beach-nesting birds. It also makes it all the more necessary that humans don’t disturb these species.
This is why you’ll see plenty of signage marking off bird habitat when visiting the south end. The postings communicate where people shouldn’t go so as not to disrupt the wildlife.
“There is a misconception that the only concern is people stepping on the eggs,” Addison said. “The main problem is that when people get too close to nesting birds, it causes the adult birds to flush out, exposing the young birds to dangers. In order to prevent that, you need a buffer distance.”
Disaster can strike quickly for baby chicks. While there are no coyotes on the south end, a ghost crab can kill a chick with a single blow, according to Addison.
Flushing the birds also saps them of valuable energy they use to feed and survive.
The bird postings create the buffer distance these birds need to thrive. However, because space is so limited at the south end of Wrightsville Beach, visitors are still discouraged from going right up to the edge of a boundary.
Addison advised beachgoers to, “Pay attention to the birds and don’t do things that cause them to interrupt their behaviors. If the birds respond to you, you’re too close.”
She also highlighted that respecting the birds’ space allows for the best viewing experience, as they only engage in behaviors like feeding and hunting when they aren’t focused on humans.
“When you give the birds space, you get to see all kinds of cool things," Addison said. "Like you see in a nature documentary.”
One of the best ways to observe wildlife at Wrightsville Beach is on one of Audubon’s weekly birdwatching walks, which are free for anyone to join. They meet at the gazebo at Beach Access 43 on Mondays at 9 a.m.
For anyone that can’t make it then, Audubon also has volunteers stationed at the south end during most hours of the day who are happy to answer any questions from beachgoers.
Charlie Kingree is a reporting intern for the StarNews. You can reach him at [email protected].