Begin Monitoring Now!

	2009 Least Tern & Snowy Plover Project
April 27 - Earth Day/Begin Monitoring
Earth Day Earth Day was a huge success with ~150 volunteer who cut and bagged weedy invasives from along the bike path. Combined with the trash gleaned from the beach front, they filled a 20 cubic yard trash bin! That’s a lot of weeds. Another crew dug along the wind fence in the front yard to expose and repair the chick fencing. This effort, along with replacement sign installation and assorted repairs, completed our outside perimeter. We are very ready for the birds to come and do their breeding business.
Monitoring to Begin Now In fact, in the last week we have gone from the first birds seen to about 50 individuals. We can and should begin our monitoring activities NOW. The colony is forming and an early disturbance can be detrimental to this location’s success. So, let’s visit the site with regularity and keep your eyes open for disturbances from predators, dogs, or visitor’s activities. In the last couple of years, the first week of May produces the first nesting. —David Pryor

Hello Everyone, Attached is the shift coverage grid for this year. If you are a returning monitor and have selected a shift please begin as soon as you possibly can, as David has asked above. If you will not be returning this year, please let me know. If you are new, and have not signed up for a shift, please attend your orientation first, let me know the shift you want and then begin your monitoring. The Least Terns thank you! —Cheryl Egger