Success!

About 6 months ago I posted a photo in EPJ of a USFW services excavator removing a tree on an island in order to create habitat for Common and (hopefully) Roseate Terns (both of which are listed species in NYS). The idea was hatched by my boss who noticed a larger number of nests (150+) which were washed out the previous year on a nearby island that sits very low to the water and is mostly grasses.

Over several days, we cleared about an acre of the island of natural vegetation and eventually installed a "caller" that plays the call of the Common Tern as well as placed several "decoys" that the birds would recognize from the sky. Within minutes of turning the caller on, birds appeared. We made a trip this afternoon to see if birds were possibly nesting and were blow away by what we found. There were at least 150 Common Terns (approx. 75 pairs) and at least 1 pair of Roseate Terns (Federally Endangered) with several active nests, and many more birds pairing up. Also present were a pair of oystercatchers that apparently had made a nest.

We took a trip to the other island and noted at least 300 terns, but significantly fewer than before, as many have recognized the "new island" as suitable habitat. Next year we should be able to clear out the remaining vegetation with the hopes it provides enough space for the other Terns.

A special thanks to the USFW Service for their funds and staff.

In this photo, a large number of terns take to the sky, with the solar panel and caller (in the black box) at the bottom of the frame.

Nikon D300s 18-200mm @ 18mm HH

- Luke