Black Skimmers Return to New Jersey

From Barnegat Lighthouse State Park

The exciting return of the black skimmers to the park! Meet Tuxedo, the oldest baby skimmer to hatch this summer in the Plover Park section of Barnegat Lighthouse State Park! It's reported that there have been eight fledged (capable of flying) skimmer babies already, with more growing toward that milestone every day.

The return of the black skimmers to the park is an amazing event. It has been decades since they have hatched and fledged here. This spectacular photo of Tuxedo is courtesy of Readings from the Northside.

Skimmers have a unique hunting style. They fly low above the water, drop down their lower jaw, which is much longer than the upper, and skim for a fish. When they feel contact, the beak snaps shut.

Here's a video that shows off the hunting starting around 0:55. Be sure to stay until the end when they show it at full speed!