There are few things that I would wake up at 2:30AM for. Birding visits to the New Jersey coast is one of them. During the summer, you have to get there early or you will get stuck in beach traffic. It can get packed very quickly. I live over two hours away from most good birding spots, so the drive, plus early arrival, means getting up way too early.
Last weekend my friend, Jon, and I headed to the coast to see a Tern colony. We arrived at the beach at around 6:30 for perfect light and to beat traffic. We were immediately greeted by the sound of Terns and set up or cameras at the colony that was not far from the entrance to the beach. This was my first time actually seeing Least Terns – even though they are pretty easy to get in the summer. I had a questionable tick on my life list from back in 2011, but it seemed too late in the fall for one (the bird was identified by someone else) so I retracted the sighting from my list.
Adult Least Tern
The young were very active, but the smaller ones stayed more in the dunes. I still enjoyed photographing some tweens and teenagers who stayed not far from the tape that closed off their nesting area.
Young Least Tern
Two young Terns
Young Least Tern
Baby Least Terns stayed toward the back
A few adults stayed nearby and preened in front of us.
Adult Least Tern
Least Tern preening
The adults would come in with fish and every younger tern begged as the adult scrambled to find its baby. Some of the teens even stole the fish anyway.
An adult Tern scrambles to find its young
A juvenile begs for the fish
This adult caught the attention of many young
The colony also had Common Terns, Black Skimmers and American Oystercatchers. They all stayed very far back so I did not get many photos.
Common Terns make some noise
Possible nesting Black Skimmers
American Oystercatcher flying in
I was happy enough photographing the Least Terns. They kept me entertained as they curiously explored the world around them.
Young Least Tern inspecting a stick
Young Least Tern inspecting a shell
I’ll certainly visit this beach again in the future. Maybe there will be other young birds later in the season from the different species!
Least Tern stretching
Young Least Tern