More birdwatching while on vacation in North Carolina

This year we vacationed between Emerald Isle and Atlantic Beach, North Carolina. We were entertained by some amazing birds.

Barn Swallow

Barn swallows are stunning little birds with forked tails. This one flitted around and under the dock we were standing on, and  posed on a nearby pylon. I've observed barn swallows around lakes as they swoop up insects, and my neighbor has a colony in his old barn. They build mud nests under bridges and in barns. This is the first time, a barn swallow has been still enough for me to photograph. Interestingly, barn swallows migrate to South America for the winter. 

Willet

Small groups of Willets worked the shore looking for tiny crabs. This bird is native to the Eastern Coast of the United States.

Least Tern

Like many other tern species, the Least Tern migrates from South America. They are endangered in many North American locations. We observed this feisty little bird diving into the water after small fish. 

Laughing Gull

The Laughing Gull has a completely black head. They constantly call to each other which I suppose explains the laughing reference.