Our last trip before the Summer Solstice occurred on Monday, June 20th. The weather was lovely with Our last trip before the Summer Solstice occurred on Monday, June 20th. The weather was lovely with very light winds, so we took advantage of the opportunity to conduct a boat-based survey for Common Eider chicks around the Outer Islands. We ended up with a total of 199 chicks on our regular Outer Islands circuit – and then saw five more feeding off the rocks on Lovells a bit later in the morning.
Common Eider with chicks off Shag Rocks (CLT, 6.20.2011).
This was our first real eider crèche survey this year and numbers seem reasonable given previous years data. For comparison, in 2010 we counted 341 chicks on 6/16 (!) and had counts of over 250 throughout the season, but in 2009 we reached our high count of 196 in early June and plummeted from there. It will be interesting to see what we turn up next week.
Double-crested Cormorant nesting colony (Middle Brewster, CLT 6.20.2011).
We also observed an incubating American Oystercatcher on the landing beach on Outer Brewster and an active pair on the landing beach on Middle Brewster. No other AMOY were observed, so the fate of those we saw on Calf, Little Calf, and Green are unknown. Though we did not see any Great Cormorants, nesting Double-crested Cormorants remain very active feeding young. We also observed a couple of Wilson’s Storm-petrels in the area, and at least 2 harbor seals and 4 gray seals around the Graves.
Hauled out Harbor and Gray Seal (The Graves, CLT 6.20.2011).
The Least Tern colony on Lovells remains active. We did not conduct a complete count, since we had been there only 5 days earlier, but we did check in on adult numbers and they seemed stable.
Least Tern nest on outskirts of Lovells Colony (CLT, 6.20.2011).
Thanks to Marc and crew for posting signage in the area.
Lovells Island Least Tern Colony (CLT, 6.20.2011).
Killdeer chicks we had previously noted on the beach last week also seemed to be coming along fine (does anything look more ridiculous that a baby Killdeer?)
Killdeer chick (Lovells Island, CLT 6.20.2011).
Susannah and Pat also observed a pair of territorial American Oystercatchers on the north side of Lovells. Although we did not find chicks, their behavior strongly indicated they had unfledged young nearby – a first for Lovells!
Hard-working Volunteers!
Enjoy these long days – maybe we’ll even see the sun sometime?!?
-Carol
