Black Skimmer Baby Pictures
Black skimmers (Rynchops niger) are amazing birds to see along the beaches in New York, because their longer lower mandible (meant for catching fish when skimming over the water) is so distinctive. I have seen black skimmers on several beaches in the New York area, where they breed in a few protected areas. Most of my sightings of the babies have been on Nickerson Beach on Long Island.
Black skimmer and chick, Nickerson Beach, Long Island, July 13, 2023
Black skimmer hatchling on Nickerson Beach, surrounded by adult and older skimmers, August 13, 2021
Black skimmers, Nickerson Beach, Long Island, July 13, 2023
These black skimmers, adults and chicks, were photographed on Nickerson Beach, Long Island, on July 13, 2023. In 2023, I visited the beach in June and July, but didn’t get out there in August.
Two young skimmer hatchlings, Nickerson Beach, August 13, 2021
I was able to visit Long Island a few times in 2020 to see the adults and the kids.
Black skimmers, parent and child, Nickerson Beach, Long Island, August 10, 2020
Black skimmer chicks with mother, Nickerson Beach, Long Island, July 30, 2020
These black skimmers were seen at Nickerson Beach between June 19 and August 10, 2020. The black skimmer community, with birds spread all along the beach, use “broken wing” techniques and aerial bombardment to protect their nests and offspring.
Nickerson Beach, Alive With Skimmers!
They nest at Nickerson Beach on Long Island, and I was able to see their return when I visited on May 17, 2019. I counted about 50 on the beach, grouped together with the common terns or flying overhead. I have visited several times since then, and on July 25 I was able to photograph a loving skimmer mama with her chick.
Black skimmer mother with chick, July 25, 2019, Nickerson Beach, Long Island
Black skimmer on Nickerson Beach, May 17, 2019
Black skimmer, Nickerson Beach, May 17, 2019
Skimming With the Oystercatchers
On October 2, 2018, a young black skimmer (Rynchops niger) was seen hanging out on the beach at Breezy Point, Queens, with more than a hundred American oystercatchers, just trying to blend in. Of course, photos and a video were the result.
Young black skimmer with American oystercatchers, October 2, 2018, on the beach at Breezy Point, Queens
These black skimmers (Rynchops niger) were seen on the beach at Wolfe's Pond in Staten Island on October 31, 2017, and November 4, 2017. I spent a very short time with them on the 31st, but was able to watch them for almost an hour on the 4th. You can see the longer lower bill that distinguishes these birds from other shorebirds. This longer lower mandible is dragged through the water as the bird tries to catch small fish.
Black skimmer, the beach at Wolfe's Pond, Staten Island, November 4, 2017
Black skimmers, Staten Island, October 31, 2017
There are two Filming the Feathers videos of this flock of skimmer, showing the birds resting, skimming and flying around. The glimpses of them opening those big mouths are fun. I didn't add music, but instead left the sound of the ocean and wind, plus the occasional squawking.
This group of photos were taken on October 31, including some grabs from the video.
These photos were taken on November 4, 2017.
