WNJ Exclusive: Black skimmers make for gorgeous coastal sightings
Photos courtesy of Christine Fusco
by Christine Fusco
When you see a Black Skimmer gracefully skimming along shallow waters, you might wonder if it flew from a tropical island to visit our New Jersey beaches. The Black Skimmer's name perfectly describes what it does. Easily identified by its rhythmic pattern of flying, the Black Skimmer stands out with its bright red and black beak, long thin black wings and silver white underside.
Black Skimmers glide above salt marshes, low back bay water, and beaches where they scoop up fish and toss their heads back before swallowing their catch. More often than not, Skimmers are seen mixed with Gulls and Terns while resting between feedings. Juvenile Skimmers are a muted brown color, with the same identifiable profile, and will fish the same as adults.
Posted by WILDNEWJERSEY at 9/15/2011 1:00 PM 
Categories: WNJ Exclusives
Tags: black skimmers shorebirds Birding jersey shore beaches
Categories: WNJ Exclusives
Tags: black skimmers shorebirds Birding jersey shore beaches
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