Black Skimmers

Was fortunate to find these guys at one of my local photo haunts yesterday.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …45862460@N07/12​362820893/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …45862460@N07/12​363091554/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …45862460@N07/12​363091694/

Very nice shots Dave. Where on the coast did you find them? We usually don't see them along the upper coast until spring or early summer. I've been scouting the beaches in the last 6 weeks and haven't seen any yet.

I've seen pics of them skimming, but what do they eat? Small fish?

ed57gmc wrote in post #16670687
I've seen pics of them skimming, but what do they eat? Small fish?

Nah, nuts and berries

NeilB0147 wrote in post #16670701
Nah, nuts and berries

I've never seen pics of them catching anything. I thought maybe they're just filter feeding like some wading birds do.

Nighthound wrote in post #16670603
Very nice shots Dave. Where on the coast did you find them? We usually don't see them along the upper coast until spring or early summer. I've been scouting the beaches in the last 6 weeks and haven't seen any yet.

Thanks Steve! I just happened upon a group of them yesterday at a place called "The Sands" in Port Royal, SC.

ed57gmc wrote in post #16670687
I've seen pics of them skimming, but what do they eat? Small fish?

Yep, they eat small fish. I actually have a a few pics of what I believe is one catching a fish but the bird's whole head went under water so I could not tell for certain.