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Least Tern Project info
2011
Season
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2010
Least Tern & Snowy Plover Project
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| June
13 - Tern
Preserve in Full Swing |
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The
good news is we have about 375 active nests and there appears
to be plenty of fish to feed everybody. There are as many
as 11 nests with three eggs, chicks begging for food, and
some new nest starts. The bad news is we have some repeat
bad actors, American kestrels, taking chicks from the Natural
Preserve. Over the last week and a half, volunteers, monitors,
and Wally have witnessed 7 different chicks being taken. This
total may be low as this feeding effort may continue after
we turn our back. In response to these observations, Wally
Ross has set out various traps inside and outside of the Preserve
on 9 of the last 11 days- with no captures! He saw three chicks
taken on 10 hawk incursions during one three-hour trapping
visit. We don’t know if this is a trap-smart bird, but
we do want to profile the times we see the bird, so please
write into your data sheets any sightings and the hour. There
has also been a Cooper’s hawk flying into the Preserve
with some regularity, although no witnessed take.
In response to a tern nest outside of all fenced areas, State
Parks installed an extended ~300’ section along the
Santa Ana River. The mother hung to her nest site during and
after construction and I hear there are other birds showing
interest in the area.
The sharp eyes of Irene Horiuchi saw a first year Common Tern
on the beach. Has anybody else seen this bird? I had to look
it up- a bit larger bird with black legs not yellow.
Be patient looking when looking for chicks. In the early mornings
when it’s been cooler, they may not be too active, but
watch for an incoming adult with fish. They will find the
kids for feeding. You can hear them call with fish too.
Gauge your distance from the “front yard” fencing
so as to avoid disturbing nearby nests. If you get bombed
and/or pooped on- move off the fence another 10’ or
more and that usually does the trick.
As we watch for the first wave of fledglings from this colony,
let’s be ever-vigilant for outside threats, keep the
public contacts and education up, and enjoy your time birding
at the Huntington State Beach Least Tern Natural Preserve.
All your visits are much appreciated. Thanks-
—
David Pryor
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