Three days after hatching the Rosetti’s Least Tern parents moved the chicks further down the beach and deep into the roped off sanctuary. Tiny gray and white speckled fluff balls well-hidden amongst the rocky shoreline became increasingly difficult to see.
Well-camouflaged and nearly impossible to see one-week-old Least Tern chicks.
Every now and then though I would catch a glimpse and one of the best moments was watching both chicks test their wings in short little take offs. Stretching wide their wings and in little fits and bursts, the flights lasted about two- to three-feet in length, and equally as high. After witnessing the tremendous hardships the Least Tern colony at Winthrop had undergone this nesting season, I was over joyed to see at least one family hit this milestone.
One-week-old Least Tern chick feeding.
Two-week-old Least Tern chick.
Eighteen-day-old Least Tern chick taking shelter under beach vegetation on a scorchingly hot day in July.
Eagerly waiting to be fed.
Airborne!
Winthrop Shores Reservation Beaches