THE BLACK SKIMMER

By Terri Estes

The black skimmer is one of my favorite migratory shore birds. They are a medium sized bird and are easily identified by their predominantly black markings on the top of their body with white below. But the most notable thing about them is their large, uniquely shaped bill with the bottom mandible longer than the top by as much as an inch. The bill is bright orange with a black tip and is about two and a half inches long.

The skimmer shows up on our shores every year between April and May and begins nesting in early June. They prefer to nest on sandy beaches with a little vegetation. The nest is simply a scraped out hollowed area about an inch deep in the sand made by both parents. Nests usually have three to four eggs and hatch in 21 to 26 days. Both parents share the responsibilities of caring for the babies and take turns feeding them for the next three to four weeks. They like to stick around a little longer than a lot of other migratory breeds and don’t leave the area until late October or November.

Skimmers fly just above the surface of the ocean with their lower mandible protruding into the water, waiting to feel contact with a fish. Once they come in contact with a fish, their jaw snaps closed, and dinner is served. Since they feed by feel, they can actually feed at night. Their main source of food are fish, usually under five inches long such as kilos, bunker, young blue fish and silversides. If given the opportunity, they will also gobble up shrimp and crabs too.

The black skimmer is protected as a species of special concern in NY State. The primary reason for this ranking is the limited number of breeding colonies in New York. The annual number of colonies in New York is 10, however the majority of successful nesting birds are located in only two sites, Nickerson Beach in Hempstead, Nassau County, and right here in Breezy Point. As a matter of fact, these are the places that you will find the largest skimmer colonies in New York. Between these two sites, there are more than 300 breeding pairs annually.

So, let’s help them out! Give them space! Admire them from afar. And please, please leave their nesting sites alone!