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Least Tern Project info
2011
Season
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2010
Least Tern & Snowy Plover Project
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| May
7 - The
Preserve is Ready |
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After
four of us dug for two days, we got the chick fence repaired
and installed to fit the biology of Least Tern chicks. We
used heavy equipment three times this year to remove sand
from the front yard wind fence, had an Earth Day work day
for it, and this digging effort. I hope the winds are calm
for the rest of the season. El Nino anyway.
We counted well over the 150 birds previously seen, with a
more probable number of 200 to date. There is mostly courting
activity at this time, with several scrapes in the sand. The
birds are not yet protective of nesting sites, but we expect
eggs on the ground sometime next week. Ross Griswold got a
great picture of a mating pair.
BOL (be on the lookout) for 4-5 crows who are very comfortable
within and around the colony. One observed taking of a Killdeer
egg this season, and we now have posturing Killdeer in the
corner by the lifeguard tower. We saw Killdeer chasing the
crows out yesterday. Harass the crows out of the colony area
if possible.
Another item of concern is Kate G’s find today of a
just-dead adult Least Tern. She took it to the Wetlands and
Wildlife Care Center for preservation, and possible investigation.
There are several potential causes for dead birds, including
old age, lack of food, etc, but we are concerned with any
additional findings. The Resource Agencies want to know what’s
happening to their listed species, and may investigate.
Bring on the birds-
—David
Pryor
Environmental Scientist
949-497-1421
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