Weekly Update for 8/12 – 8/18/2013
8/12 – 8/18/13 ›
This completes our regular weekly reporting of field research activities in interior Oregon and NE California for 2013
8/12 – 8/18/13 ›
Colony monitoring completed at Corps-constructed tern islands at Crump Lake, Summer Lake (East Link and Gold Dike tern islands), Tule Lake NWR, and Lower Klamath NWR for the 2013 nesting season; Caspian terns no longer attending nest on these five islands
8/12 – 8/18/13 ›
High count of 262 Caspian terns during the week, including 3 active nests and 33 chicks, on Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; also observed on the island were high counts of 840 American white pelicans, 64 double-crested cormorants, 28 California gulls, and three ring-billed gulls; California and ring-billed gulls are nesting in small numbers on the island
Weekly Update for 8/5 – 8/11/2013
8/5 – 8/11/13 ›
Low water in Sheepy Lake prevented access to the Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; due to low water, colony monitoring at the Sheepy Lake tern island has ceased for the 2013 breeding season; Caspian terns, ring-billed gulls and California gulls were successful in fledging young from the island during the 2013 breeding season
8/5 – 8/11/13 ›
High count during the week of 417 adult Caspian terns and 13 fledgling terns that have immigrated from other colonies on the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; there are no remaining active Caspian tern nests on the island; despite the prevalence of multiple nest predators (i.e., great horned owls and a raccoon) on the Tule Lake tern island during the 2013 breeding season, hundreds of Caspian terns continue to use the island; high counts this week of 63 ring-billed gulls and 32 California gulls also observed on the island; ring-billed gulls also nesting in small numbers on the island this breeding season
8/5 – 8/11/13 ›
High count of 221 Caspian terns during the week, including 106 active nests and 74 chicks, on Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; also observed on the island were high counts of 430 American white pelicans, 14 California gulls, 11 double-crested cormorants, and two ring-billed gulls; California and ring-billed gulls are nesting in small numbers on the island
8/5 – 8/11/13 ›
No adult piscivorous waterbirds were observed this week on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; due to very low water levels in the lake and lack of birds on the island, colony monitoring at the Crump Lake tern island has ceased for the remainder of the 2013 breeding season; Caspian terns, ring-billed gulls, and California gulls were successful in fledging young from the island during the 2013 breeding season
8/5 – 8/1/13 ›
No adult piscivorous waterbirds were observed this week on either the East Link or Gold Dike tern islands at Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; due the lack of birds on the islands, colony monitoring at the Summer Lake tern islands has ceased for the remainder of the 2013 breeding season; due to disturbance and depredation by great horned owls, Caspian terns did not nest on Gold Dike tern island and were only successful in fledging 2-3 young from East Link tern island during the 2013 breeding season
Weekly Update for 7/29 – 8/4/2013
8/2/13 ›
56 Caspian tern chicks were captured, banded, and released at Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; thanks to the Refuge staff from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for their assistance with banding
7/31/13 ›
109 Caspian tern chicks were captured, banded, and released at Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California
7/29 – 8/4/13 ›
High count during the week of 294 adult Caspian terns, including about 11 active nests and 122 tern chicks, on the Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; also observed on the island were high counts of 31 California gulls and 12 ring-billed gulls; Caspian terns, ring-billed gulls, and California gulls have nearly completed nesting on the island
7/29 – 8/4/13 ›
High count during the week of 115 Caspian terns, including about 13 active nests and 13 chicks, on the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; on August 4th there appeared to be another predation event at the Tule Lake colony, resulting in depredation of all the remaining tern chicks on the island (predator not seen); despite the prevalence of multiple nest predators (i.e., great horned owls and raccoons) on the Tule Lake tern island during the 2013 breeding season, hundreds of adult Caspian terns and fledgling Caspian terns from other colonies continue to roost on or near the island; high counts this week of 35 ring-billed gulls and 11 California gulls also observed on the island; ring-billed gulls also nested in small numbers on the island
7/29 – 8/4/13 ›
High count of ca. 500 Caspian terns during the week, including about 160 active nests and 68 chicks, on Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; this represents a major decline in both the high counts of adults on colony and active nests this week as compared to the previous week, perhaps due to a severe storm event that occurred on August 1st; also observed on the island were high counts of 207 American white pelicans, 75 double-crested cormorants, 27 California gulls, and 7 ring-billed gulls; California and ring-billed gulls nested in small numbers on the island
7/29 – 8/4/13 ›
High count of two adult Caspian terns during the week, including one active nest and 33 chicks on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; no other birds observed on the island this week; Caspian terns, ring-billed gulls, and California gulls have successfully fledged young from the island during the 2013 breeding season
7/29 – 8/4/13 ›
Tern islands at Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon were not visited this week
Weekly Update for 7/22 – 7/28/2013
7/22/13 ›
First Caspian tern fledgling observed at Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon
7/22 – 7/28/13 ›
High count during the week of 696 adult Caspian terns, including about 38 active nests and 139 tern chicks, on the Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; also observed on the island were high counts of 134 double-crested cormorants, 129 California gulls, and 94 ring-billed gulls; terns and gulls are nesting on the island
7/22 – 7/28/13 ›
High count during the week of 194 Caspian terns, including about 15 active nests and 12 chicks, on the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; despite the prevalence of nest predators (i.e., several great horned owls and a raccoon) on the Tule Lake tern island during the 2013 breeding season, hundreds of terns remain on the colony and are continuing to attend their nests; high counts this week of 14 ring-billed gulls and 7 California gulls also observed on island; ring-billed gulls also nesting in small numbers on the island
7/22 – 7/28/13 ›
High count of 1,476 Caspian terns during the week, including about 551 active nests and 91 chicks, on Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; these are the highest numbers of Caspian terns and active Caspian tern nests so far recorded on the Malheur Lake tern island; also observed on the island were high counts of 1,009 American white pelicans and 292 double-crested cormorants; Franklin’s gulls, ring-billed gulls, and California gulls also on island (no counts available); California and ring-billed gulls nesting in small numbers on island; white pelicans and double-crested cormorants have been roosting in large numbers on the flat surface of the island, causing some Caspian tern nests to fail due to encroachment and trampling of eggs and chicks by roosting pelicans and cormorants at the north end of the island; about 200 Caspian terns remain in this area of the colony and are attending nests with eggs
7/22 – 7/28/13 ›
High count of 59 Caspian terns during the week, including 49 active nests and 45 chicks on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; gulls, American white pelicans, and double-crested cormorants also observed on island; terns and gulls have successfully fledged young from the island
7/22 – 7/28/13 ›
High count of 8 Caspian terns during the week, including 0 active nests and 1 chick on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; high counts of 107 ring-billed gulls and 47 California gulls also observed on island; terns and gulls are nesting on the island; great horned owls have limited the numbers and nesting success of Caspian terns at the East Link tern island
7/22 – 7/28/13 ›
For the 7th consecutive week, no Caspian terns were observed on Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; more evidence of great horned owl depredation on island; great horned owl disturbance likely responsible for failure of Caspian terns to initiate nesting on Gold Dike island, as well as the recent decline in numbers of nesting gulls on the island; high count of 15 ring-billed gulls (0 active nests) counted on island
Weekly Update for 7/15 – 7/21/2013
7/21/13 ›
First Caspian tern fledgling observed at Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon
7/17/13 ›
Dr. Katie O’Reilly and 3 of her students from University of Portland visited Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon
7/16/13 ›
First Caspian tern fledgling observed at Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California
7/15 – 7/21/13 ›
High count during the week of 378 adult Caspian terns and 140 tern chicks, on the Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; also observed on the island were high counts of 185 California gulls, 69 ring-billed gulls, and 13 double-crested cormorants; terns and gulls are nesting on the island
7/15 – 7/21/13 ›
High count during the week of 200 Caspian terns, including about 25 active nests and 3 downy chicks, on the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; on 17 July there appeared to be another predation event at the Tule Lake colony resulting in depredation of all the tern chicks on the island (predator not seen); despite the prevalence of nest predators (i.e., great horned owls and a raccoon) on the Tule Lake tern island during the 2013 breeding season, hundreds of terns remain on the colony and are continuing to attend their nests; high counts this week of 7 ring-billed gulls and 2 California gulls also observed on island; ring-billed gulls also nesting in small numbers on the island
7/15 – 7/21/13 ›
High count of 1,208 Caspian terns during the week, including about 406 active nests and 87 chicks, on Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; also observed on the island were high counts of 1,198 American white pelicans, 269 double-crested cormorants, 227 Franklin’s gulls, 60 ring-billed gulls, and 33 California gulls; California and ring-billed gulls nesting in small numbers on island; white pelicans and double-crested cormorants have been roosting in large numbers on the flat surface of the island, causing some Caspian tern nests to fail due to encroachment and trampling of eggs and chicks by roosting pelicans and cormorants at the north end of the island
7/15 – 7/21/13 ›
High count of 213 Caspian terns during the week, including 113 active nests and 94 chicks on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; high counts of ca. 450 California gulls, ca. 430 ring-billed gulls, <100 American white pelicans, and <100 double-crested cormorants also observed on island; terns and gulls are on nesting on the island
7/15 – 7/21/13 ›
High count of 17 Caspian terns during the week, including 2 active nests and 2 chicks on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; high counts of 233 ring-billed gulls and 67 California gulls also observed on island; terns and gulls are nesting on the island; great horned owls have limited the numbers and nesting success of Caspian terns at the East Link tern island
7/15 – 7/21/13 ›
For the sixth consecutive week, no Caspian terns were observed on Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; more evidence of great horned owl depredation on island; great horned owl disturbance likely responsible for failure of Caspian terns to initiate nesting on Gold Dike island, as well as the recent decline in numbers of nesting gulls on the island; high count of 15 ring-billed gulls (0 active nests) also counted on island
Weekly Update for 7/8 – 7/14/2013
7/11/13 ›
Aerial survey of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and the Harney Basin; checked sites of double-crested cormorant colonies to determine occupancy and estimate the number of young produced at each colony
7/8 – 7/14/13 ›
High count during the week of 473 Caspian terns, including about 223 active nests and 131 chicks, on the Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; also observed on the island were high counts of ca. 520 ring-billed gulls, ca. 400 California gulls, 10 double-crested cormorants, and 7 American white pelicans; terns and gulls attending nests with eggs and chicks
7/8 – 7/14/13 ›
High count during the week of 219 Caspian terns, including about 25 active nests and 1 chick, on the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; in early July, a raccoon began visiting the colony at night causing significant nest failure; under permit, raccoon removed from island on 8 July; despite the prevalence of nest predators (i.e., great horned owls and a raccoon) on the Tule Lake tern island during the 2013 breeding season, hundreds of terns remain on the colony and are continuing to attend their nests; high counts this week of 22 ring-billed gulls, 13 double-crested cormorants, 12 American white pelicans, and 6 California gulls also observed on island; ring-billed gulls also nesting in small numbers on the island
7/8 – 7/14/13 ›
High count of 1,331 Caspian terns during the week, including about 305 active nests and 87 chicks, on Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; also observed on the island were high counts of 1,129 American white pelicans, 439 double-crested cormorants, 342 Franklin’s gulls, 64 ring-billed gulls, and 40 California gulls; California and ring-billed gulls nesting in small numbers on island; white pelicans and double-crested cormorants have been roosting in large numbers on the flat surface of the island, causing some Caspian tern nests to fail due to encroachment and trampling of eggs and chicks by roosting pelicans and cormorants at the north end of the island
7/8 – 7/14/13 ›
High count of 360 Caspian terns during the week, including 136 active nests and 117 chicks on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; high counts of ca. 1,040 ring-billed gulls, ca. 460 California gulls, <100 American white pelicans, and <100 double-crested cormorants also observed on island; terns and gulls are on nests with eggs and chicks
7/8 – 7/14/13 ›
High count of 16 Caspian terns during the week, including 2 active nests and 2 chicks on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; high counts of 390 ring-billed gulls and 49 California gulls also observed, many of which are nesting on the island; continued night time disturbance to the colony by great horned owls have limited the numbers and nesting success of Caspian terns nesting at this colony so far this season
7/8 – 7/14/13 ›
For the fifth consecutive week, no Caspian terns were observed on Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; more evidence of great horned owl depredation on island; great horned owl disturbance likely responsible for failure of Caspian terns to initiate nesting on Gold Dike island, as well as recent decline in numbers of nesting gulls on the island; high count of 26 ring-billed gulls (23 active nests) also observed on island; ring-billed gulls are incubating eggs on the island
Weekly Update for 7/1 – 7/7/2013
7/5/13 ›
Dave Leonard (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) and Holly Freifeld (formerly with the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service) visited Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon
7/1 – 7/7/13 ›
High count during the week of 446 Caspian terns, including about 235 active nests and 94 chicks, on the Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; also observed on the island were high counts of about 1,180 ring-billed gulls, about 385 California gulls, and about 175 double-crested cormorants; terns and gulls attending nests with eggs and chicks
7/1 – 7/7/13 ›
High count during the week of 293 Caspian terns, including about 44 active nests and 1 chick, on the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; on 6 July no Caspian tern chicks were observed on the colony, with the most recent chick mortality caused by a raccoon that has been visiting the colony at night; despite the prevalence of nest predators (i.e., great horned owls and a raccoon) on the Tule Lake tern island during the 2013 breeding season, hundreds of terns have not yet abandoned the colony and are continuing to attend their nests; high counts this week of 25 double-crested cormorants, 19 ring-billed gulls, and 10 California gulls also observed on island; ring-billed gulls also nesting in small numbers on the island
7/1 – 7/7/13 ›
High count during the week of 1,273 Caspian terns, including about 240 active nests and 77 chicks, on Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; there has been a gradual rebound in nesting activity by terns on the Malheur Lake tern island after the past several weeks of poor weather; also observed on the island were high counts of 2,050 American white pelicans, 265 Franklin’s gulls, 149 double-crested cormorants, 19 ring-billed gulls, and 17 California gulls; California and ring-billed gulls nesting in small numbers on island; white pelicans and double-crested cormorants are now roosting in large numbers on the flat surface of the island, causing some Caspian tern nests to fail due to encroachment and trampling of eggs and chicks by roosting pelicans and cormorants at the north end of the island
7/1 – 7/7/13 ›
High count during the week of 286 Caspian terns, including 158 active nests and 117 chicks on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; high counts of ca. 1,075 ring-billed gulls, ca. 370 California gulls, 120 American white pelicans, and <100 double-crested cormorants also observed on island; terns and gulls are on nests with eggs and chicks
7/1 – 7/7/13 ›
High count during the week of 21 Caspian terns, including 8 active nests and 5 chicks on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; high counts of ca. 1,080 ring-billed gulls and ca. 105 California gulls also observed, many of which are nesting on the island; several gulls were depredated by a great horned owl at the colony this past week; night time disturbances by great horned owls have limited the numbers and nesting success of Caspian terns nesting at this colony so far this season
7/1 – 7/7/13 ›
For the fourth consecutive week, no Caspian terns were observed on Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; more evidence of great horned owl depredation on island; great horned owl disturbance likely responsible for failure of Caspian terns to initiate nesting on Gold Dike island and recent decline in numbers of nesting gulls on the island; high count of 56 ring-billed gulls (51 active nests) also observed on island; ring-billed gulls are incubating eggs on the island
Weekly Update for 6/24 – 6/30/2013
6/24 – 6/30/13 ›
High count during the week of 499 Caspian terns, including about 313 active nests and 93 chicks, on the Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; also observed on the island were high counts of about 1,700 ring-billed gulls, about 500 California gulls, and about 170 double-crested cormorants; terns and gulls attending nests with eggs and chicks
6/24 – 6/30/13 ›
High count during the week of 305 Caspian terns, including about 78 active nests and 3 chicks, on the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; 9 Caspian tern chicks depredated by a great horned owl early in the week; on 26 June, a second owl was live trapped, banded, and relocated to a site over 100 miles from the island; night time disturbances by great horned owls have limited the numbers and nesting success of Caspian terns at this colony so far this season; high counts this week of 200 American white pelicans, 24 Franklin’s gulls, 11 California gulls, 10 double-crested cormorants, 8 Forster’s terns, and 6 ring-billed gulls also observed on island; ring-billed gulls also nesting in small numbers on the island
6/24 – 6/30/13 ›
High count during the week of 977 Caspian terns, including about 131 active nests and 54 chicks, on Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; unseasonably cold and wet weather contributed to failure of many Caspian tern nests during the past several weeks; also observed on the island were high counts of 2,419 American white pelicans, 335 double-crested cormorants, 174 Franklin’s gulls, 23 ring-billed gulls, 16 California gulls, and one great egret; California and ring-billed gulls nesting in small numbers on island; white pelicans and double-crested cormorants are now roosting in large numbers on the flat surface of the island, causing some Caspian tern nests to fail due to encroachment and trampling of eggs and chicks by roosting pelicans and cormorants at the north end of the island
6/24 – 6/30/13 ›
High count during the week of 325 Caspian terns, including 216 active nests and 64 chicks on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; high counts of ca. 1,760 ring-billed gulls, ca. 460 California gulls also observed nesting on island; terns and gulls are on nests with eggs and chicks; extreme heat at the colony late in the week caused significant nest failure for both Caspian terns and gulls this past week
6/24 – 6/30/13 ›
High count during the week of 21 Caspian terns, including 14 active nests on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; 7 Caspian tern chicks counted on colony; counts of adult Caspian terns, active Caspian tern nests, and Caspian tern chicks lower this past week compared with the previous week; high counts of ca. 1,080 ring-billed gulls and ca. 105 California gulls also observed, many of which are nesting on the island; one gull depredated by a great horned owl at the colony this past week; night time disturbances by great horned owls have limited the numbers and nesting success of Caspian terns nesting at this colony so far this season
6/24 – 6/30/13 ›
For the third consecutive week, no Caspian terns were observed on Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; more evidence of great horned owl depredation on island; great horned owl disturbance likely responsible for failure of Caspian terns to initiate nesting on Gold Dike island and recent decline in numbers of nesting gulls on the island; high count of 83 ring-billed gulls (69 active nests) also observed on island; ring-billed gulls are incubating eggs on the island
Weekly Update for 6/17 – 6/23/2013
6/17 – 6/23/13 ›
High count during the week of 438 Caspian terns, including about 354 active nests and 94 chicks, on the Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; high counts of 2,062 ring-billed gulls, 590 California gulls, 169 double-crested cormorants, and 7 American white pelicans also observed on island; terns and gulls attending nests with eggs and chicks
6/17 – 6/23/13 ›
High count during the week of 262 Caspian terns, including about 83 active nests and 33 chicks, on the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; terns have re-initiated egg-laying on the island after some nest failure due to predation and disturbance by great horned owls; there has been no evidence of great horned owl disturbance to the colony for the past several weeks; high counts this week of 345 American white pelicans, 12 California gulls, 6 double-crested cormorants, and 5 ring-billed gulls also observed on island; ring-billed gulls also nesting in small numbers on the island
6/17 – 6/23/13 ›
High count during the week of 513 Caspian terns, including about 300 active nests and 49 chicks, on Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; also observed on the island were high counts of 2,373 American white pelicans, 482 double-crested cormorants, 53 Franklin’s gulls, 19 ring-billed gulls, 4 California gulls, and one arctic tern, a very rare bird in Harney County; California and ring-billed gulls nesting in small numbers on island; white pelicans and double-crested cormorants are now roosting in large numbers on the flat surface of the island, causing some Caspian tern nests to fail due to encroachment and trampling of eggs and chicks by roosting pelicans and cormorants at the north end of the island; unseasonably cold and wet weather also contributed to tern nest failure this past week
6/17 – 6/23/13 ›
High count during the week of 289 Caspian terns, including 225 active nests and 96 chicks on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; high counts of ca. 2,000 ring-billed gulls, ca. 550 California gulls, <100 double-crested cormorants, and <100 American white pelicans also observed roosting on island; terns and gulls are on nests with eggs and chicks
6/17 – 6/23/13 ›
High count during the week of 28 Caspian terns, including 22 active nests and 13 chicks on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; some Caspian terns that previous lost their nests this season due to predation and disturbance from a great horned owl have re-initiated egg-laying on the island; there has been no evidence of great horned owl disturbance to the colony for the past two weeks; high counts of ca. 1,050 ring-billed gulls and ca. 115 California gulls also observed on island; gulls are on nests with eggs and chicks
6/17 – 6/23/13 ›
For the second consecutive week, no Caspian terns were observed on Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; more evidence of great horned owl depredation on island; great horned owl disturbance likely responsible for failure of Caspian terns to initiate nesting on Gold Dike island and recent decline in numbers of nesting gulls on the island; high count of ca. 100 ring-billed gulls (ca. 80 active nests) also observed on island; ring-billed gulls are incubating eggs on the island
Weekly Update for 6/10 – 6/16/2013
6/14/13 ›
First Caspian tern chick observed at Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California
6/13/13 ›
First Caspian tern chicks (7) observed at East Link tern island in Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon
6/10 – 6/16/13 ›
High count during the week of 533 Caspian terns, including about 307 active nests, on the Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; counts of terns and active tern nests increased last week compared to the previous week; high counts of 2,273 ring-billed gulls, 672 California gulls, and 220 double-crested cormorants also observed on island; terns and gulls attending nests with eggs and chicks; cormorants roosting and some exhibiting pre-nesting behaviors (i.e., courtship displays)
6/10 – 6/16/13 ›
High count during the week of 305 Caspian terns, including about 63 active nests, on the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; high counts of 68 American white pelicans, 26 double-crested cormorants, 26 ring-billed gulls, and 5 California gulls also observed on island; ring-billed gulls also nesting on island; terns have re-initiated egg-laying on the island after some nest failure due to predation and disturbance by great horned owls; there was no evidence of great horned owl disturbance to the colony this past week
6/10 – 6/16/13 ›
High count during the week of 875 Caspian terns, including about 420 active nests, on Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; tern nests contain eggs and chicks; also observed on the island were high counts of ca. 2,325 American white pelicans, ca. 750 double-crested cormorants, 710 Franklin’s gulls, 80 ring-billed gulls, and 24 California gulls; California and ring-billed gulls nesting in small numbers on island; white pelicans and double-crested cormorants are now roosting in large numbers on the flat surface of the island, causing some Caspian tern nests to fail due to encroachment and trampling of eggs and chicks by roosting pelicans and cormorants at the north end of the island
6/10 – 6/16/13 ›
High count during the week of 420 Caspian terns, including 222 active nests with eggs and chicks on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; high count of 58 Caspian tern chicks on-colony; high counts of ca. 2,000 ring-billed gulls, ca. 550 California gulls, <100 double-crested cormorants, and <100 American white pelicans also observed roosting on island; terns and gulls are on nests with eggs and chicks
6/10 – 6/16/13 ›
High count during the week of 31 Caspian terns, including 22 active nests, most with eggs, on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; high counts of ca. 1,150 ring-billed gulls and ca. 100 California gulls also observed on island; counts of Caspian terns and active tern nests are higher this week compared to the previous week; there was no evidence of great horned owl disturbance to the colony this past week; terns have re-initiated egg-laying on the island; gulls are on nests with eggs and chicks
6/10 – 6/16/13 ›
This past week, no Caspian terns were observed on Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; high count of ca. 120 ring-billed gulls (ca. 80 active nests) also observed on island; ring-billed gulls have initiated egg-laying on the island; more evidence of great horned owl depredation on island; great horned owl disturbance likely responsible for failure of Caspian terns to initiate nesting on Gold Dike island and recent decline in numbers of nesting gulls
Weekly Update for 6/3 – 6/9/2013
6/7/13 ›
Dwight Porter (Malheur Field Station) visited Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon
6/6/13 ›
First Caspian tern chick observed at Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon
6/5/13 ›
Aerial survey of interior Oregon and northeastern California to search for double-crested cormorant breeding colonies; nesting cormorants detected at Crane Prairie Reservoir, Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge (Agency Marsh), Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge (Sheepy Lake), Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge (Sump 1B), Clear Lake National Wildlife Refuge (eastern arm of Clear Lake), Lake Abert (Rivers End), Summer Lake Wildlife Area (Gold Dike Impoundment), Malheur National Wildlife Refuge (Sod House Ranch), and Malheur Lake (Singhus Ranch); photographs taken during the flight will be used to count numbers of double-crested cormorant nests at these colony sites
6/3 – 6/9/13 ›
High count during the week of 464 Caspian terns, including about 241 active nests, on the Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; high counts of 2,393 ring-billed gulls, 513 California gulls, and 90 double-crested cormorants also observed on island; terns and gulls attending nests with eggs and chicks; cormorants roosting and some exhibiting pre-nesting behaviors (i.e., courtship displays)
6/3 – 6/9/13 ›
High count during the week of 245 Caspian terns, including about 54 active nests, on the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; high counts of 142 American white pelicans, 83 double-crested cormorants, 29 ring-billed gulls, and 1 California gull also observed on island; terns have initiated egg-laying on the island; ring-billed gulls also nesting on island; there was no evidence of great horned owl disturbance to the colony this past week
6/3 – 6/9/13 ›
High count during the week of 882 Caspian terns, including about 333 active nests, on Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; also observed on the island were high counts of ca. 1,250 American white pelicans, ca. 500 double-crested cormorants, 51 ring-billed gulls, 26 Franklin’s gulls, and 20 California gulls; tern nests contain eggs and chicks; California and ring-billed gulls also nesting on island; white pelicans and double-crested cormorants are roosting on the island
6/3 – 6/9/13 ›
High count during the week of 421 Caspian terns, including 170 active nests with eggs and chicks on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; high counts of ca. 1,900 ring-billed gulls, ca. 420 California gulls, and <100 double-crested cormorants also observed roosting on island; terns and gulls are on nests with eggs and chicks
6/3 – 6/9/13 ›
High count during the week of 28 Caspian terns, including 15 active nests, most with eggs, on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; high counts of ca. 900 ring-billed gulls and ca. 75 California gulls also observed on island; counts of Caspian terns and active tern nests are lower this week compared to the previous week due to nocturnal visits by a great horned owl to the colony; several depredated gulls observed on-colony; terns have initiated egg-laying on the island; gulls are on nests with eggs and chicks
6/3 – 6/9/13 ›
High count during the week of 2 Caspian terns on Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; high count of ca. 300 ring-billed gulls (ca. 100 active nests) also observed on island; terns are exhibiting pre-nesting behaviors; ring-billed gulls have initiated egg-laying on the island; more evidence of great horned owl depredation on island; great horned owl disturbance likely responsible for failure of Caspian terns to initiate nesting on Gold Dike island
Weekly Update for 5/27 – 6/2/2012
6/2/13 ›
First Caspian tern chick observed at Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California
5/31/13 ›
First Caspian tern chick observed at Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon
5/31/13 ›
Annaliese Detmer (USFWS intern) visited Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon
5/27 – 6/2/13 ›
High count during the week of 353 Caspian terns, including about 275 active nests, on the Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; high counts of 2,296 ring-billed gulls, 502 California gulls, and hundreds of double-crested cormorants also observed on island; terns and gulls attending nests with eggs and chicks; cormorants exhibiting pre-nesting behaviors (i.e., courtship displays)
5/27 – 6/2/13 ›
High count during the week of 196 Caspian terns, including about 69 active nests, on the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; high counts of 230 American white pelicans, 24 ring-billed gulls, 12 double-crested cormorants, and 9 California gulls also observed on island; terns have initiated egg-laying on the island; ring-billed gulls also nesting on island; night–time visits to the colony by a great horned owl were confirmed this past week; another Caspian tern carcass observed on-colony; one owl was live trapped and relocated to a site away from the island designated by ODFW; night time disturbances by great horned owls have limited the size and nesting success of Caspian terns at this colony so far this season
5/27 – 6/2/13 ›
High count during the week of 780 Caspian terns, including about 241 active nests, on Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; most of the resightings of banded terns at this colony this past week were of birds previously banded at colonies on the Columbia Plateau (39 and 24 from Crescent Island and Goose Island, respectively), followed by the Crump Lake tern island in Warner Valley (15), East Sand Island (12), and a few (3) from other colonies; banded Caspian terns that were attending active nests on the Malheur Lake tern island (2) were re-sighted foraging at Warm Springs Reservoir, ca. 61 km from the Malheur Lake tern island; also observed on the island were high counts of 123 ring-billed gulls, 73 Franklin’s gulls, 64 double-crested cormorants, 44 American white pelicans, and 20 California gulls; tern nests contain eggs and chicks; California and ring-billed gulls also nesting, mostly in the rip rap that is out of view from our observation blind
5/27 – 6/2/13 ›
High count during the week of 360 Caspian terns, including 139 active nests, most with eggs, on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; high counts of ca. 1,900 ring-billed gulls, ca. 420 California gulls, and 70 double-crested cormorants also observed on island; terns have initiated egg-laying and gulls are on nests with eggs and chicks
5/27 – 6/2/13 ›
High count during the week of 32 Caspian terns, including 24 active nests, most with eggs, on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; high counts of 1,175 ring-billed gulls and 91 California gulls also observed on island; terns and gulls have initiated egg-laying on the island
5/27 – 6/2/13 ›
High count during the week of 2 Caspian terns on Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; high count of 60 ring-billed gulls (34 active nests) also observed on island; terns are exhibiting pre-nesting behaviors; ring-billed gulls have initiated egg-laying on the island; evidence of great horned owl depredation on island; great horned owl disturbance likely responsible for failure of Caspian terns to initiate nesting on Gold Dike island
Weekly Update for 5/20 – 5/26/2013
5/26/13 ›
Land-based survey of piscivorous colonial waterbirds nesting on Clear Lake, Clear Lake NWR, California; many waterbirds observed nesting on two islands in eastern arm of lake, including double-crested cormorants, American white pelicans, Caspian terns, and gulls; aerial surveys of this and other nesting areas for piscivorous colonial waterbirds in the Upper Klamath Basin will be conducted early in June to determine approximate numbers of waterbirds nesting on islands in Clear Lake
5/26/13 ›
Survey of piscivorous colonial waterbirds on Pelican Lake island, Warner Valley, Oregon; very few piscivorous waterbirds observed on the island, none nesting; dropping water levels have connected Pelican Lake island to the mainland, providing access to mammalian predators
5/24/13 ›
Visited Orems Unit tern Island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; impoundment surrounding island is completely dry; no waterbirds observed on island or in vicinity
5/20 – 5/26/13 ›
High count during the week of 575 Caspian terns, including about 206 active nests, on the Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; high counts of 2,499 ring-billed gulls, 675 California gulls, and 217 double-crested cormorants also observed on island; terns and gulls have initiated egg-laying on the island; cormorants exhibiting pre-nesting behaviors (i.e., courtship displays)
5/20 – 5/26/13 ›
High count during the week of 271 Caspian terns, including about 77 active nests, on the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; high counts of 151 double-crested cormorants, 64 ring-billed gulls, 38 American white pelicans, and 10 California gulls also observed on island; terns have initiated egg-laying on the island; ring-billed gulls also nesting on island; one Caspian tern carcass observed on-colony this past week, apparently due to depredation by great horned owl; numbers of Caspian terns on-colony declined by end of week; monitoring intensified to determine the cause
5/20 – 5/26/13 ›
High count during the week of 518 Caspian terns, including about 215 active nests, on Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; high count of 25 ring-billed gulls, 9 California gulls, 8 Franklin’s gulls, 6 double-crested cormorants, and 5 American white pelicans also observed on island; terns have initiated egg-laying on the island; California and ring-billed gulls also nesting, mostly in the rip rap that is out of view from our observation blind
5/20 – 5/26/13 ›
High count during the week of 238 Caspian terns, including 111 active nests, most with eggs, on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; high counts of ca. 1,700 ring-billed gulls, ca. 430 California gulls, and 30 double-crested cormorants also observed on island; terns and gulls have initiated egg-laying on the island
5/20 – 5/26/13 ›
High count during the week of 34 Caspian terns, including 22 active nests, most with eggs, on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; high counts of 1,069 ring-billed gulls and 92 California gulls also observed on island; terns and gulls have initiated egg-laying on the island
5/20 – 5/26/13 ›
High count during the week of 2 Caspian terns on Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; high count of 69 ring-billed gulls also observed on island; terns are exhibiting pre-nesting behaviors; ring-billed gulls have initiated egg-laying on the island; one Caspian tern carcass seen on island, likely depredated by a great horned owl; great horned owl disturbance likely responsible for failure of Caspian terns to initiate nesting on Gold Dike island
Weekly Update for 5/13 – 5/19/2013
5/19/13 ›
First Caspian tern eggs observed on the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California
5/17/13 ›
First Caspian tern eggs observed on the East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon
5/13 – 5/19/13 ›
High count during the week of 397 Caspian terns, including about 87 active nests, on the Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; high counts of 2,987 ring-billed gulls and 705 California gulls also observed on island; terns and gulls have initiated egg-laying on the island
5/13 – 5/19/13 ›
High count during the week of 207 Caspian terns, including about 22 active nests, on the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; high counts of 59 ring-billed gulls, 58 double-crested cormorants, 25 American white pelicans, and 5 California gulls also observed on island; terns have initiated egg-laying on the island
5/13 – 5/19/13 ›
High count during the week of 589 Caspian terns, including about 140 active nests, on the Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; high count of 60 double-crested cormorants, 16 ring-billed gulls, 6 California gulls, 4 Franklin’s gulls, and 3 American white pelicans also observed on island; terns have initiated egg-laying on the island
5/13 – 5/19/13 ›
High count during the week of 256 Caspian terns, including 37 active nests with at least one egg, on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; high counts of ca. 2,220 ring-billed gulls, ca. 440 California gulls, and 60 double-crested cormorants also observed on island; terns and gulls have initiated egg-laying on the island
5/13 – 5/19/13 ›
High count during the week of 36 Caspian terns, including 7 nests with at least one egg, on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; high counts of 1,175 ring-billed gulls and 91 California gulls also observed on island; terns and gulls have initiated egg-laying on the island
5/13 – 5/19/13 ›
High count during the week of 5 Caspian terns on Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; high count of 154 ring-billed gull also observed on island; terns are exhibiting pre-nesting behaviors; ring-billed gulls have initiated egg-laying on the island
Weekly Update for 5/6 – 5/12/2013
5/6 – 5/12/13 ›
High count during the week of 310 Caspian terns on the Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; high counts of 2,794 ring-billed gulls and 716 California gulls also observed on island; terns and gulls have initiated egg-laying on the island; Caspian terns are nesting in two areas of the island, but so far have not used the area of the island where gulls were dissuaded from nesting with bird netting
5/6 – 5/12/13 ›
High count during the week of 88 Caspian terns on the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; high counts of 14 ring-billed gulls, 25 double-crested cormorants, 6 American white pelicans, and 4 California gulls also observed on island; terns continue to exhibit pre-nesting behaviors, while cormorants and gulls are not exhibiting pre-nesting behaviors
5/6 – 5/12/13 ›
High count during the week of 577 Caspian terns on the Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; high count of 117 Franklin’s gulls, 79 double-crested cormorants, 22 ring-billed gulls, 10 California gulls, and 3 American white pelicans also observed on island; terns have initiated egg-laying on the island
5/6 – 5/12/13 ›
High count during the week of 263 Caspian terns on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; high counts of ca. 2,050 ring-billed gulls, ca. 570 California gulls, and 30 double-crested cormorants also observed on island; terns and gulls have initiated egg-laying on the island
5/6 – 5/12/13 ›
High count during the week of 8 Caspian terns on Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; high count of 41 ring-billed gull also observed on island; terns exhibiting pre-nesting behaviors
5/6 – 5/12/13 ›
High count during the week of 15 Caspian terns on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; high counts of 397 ring-billed gulls and 61 California gulls also observed on island; terns exhibiting pre-nesting behaviors, while gulls have initiated egg-laying on the island
5/12/13 ›
First Caspian tern eggs (3) observed on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon
Weekly Update for 4/29 – 5/5/2013
5/5/13 ›
First Caspian tern egg observed on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; egg later depredated by California gull
5/2/13 ›
Removed elevated netting used to dissuade gulls from nesting on part of the Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; gulls, but not Caspian terns, initiated nests in the dissuasion area immediately after removal of netting
4/29/13 ›
First Caspian tern egg observed on Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; although nest with egg was left unattended for extended periods of time, the egg was not depredated by gulls
4/29 – 5/5/13 ›
High count during the week of 341 Caspian terns on the Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; high counts of 1,952 ring-billed gulls and 646 California gulls also observed on island; terns and gulls have initiated egg-laying on the island
4/29 – 5/5/13 ›
High count during the week of 223 Caspian terns on the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; high counts of 53 ring-billed gulls, 28 double-crested cormorants, and 3 California gulls also observed on island; terns are beginning to exhibit pre-nesting behaviors, while cormorants and gulls not exhibiting pre-nesting behaviors
4/29 – 5/5/13 ›
High count during the week of 407 Caspian terns on the Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; high count of one loafing double-crested cormorants also observed on island; terns have initiated egg-laying on the island
4/29 – 5/5/13 ›
High count during the week of 31 Caspian terns on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; high counts of 404 ring-billed gulls and 312 California gulls also observed on island; terns exhibiting pre-nesting behaviors (i.e., nest scraping, copulations, mate feeding) and gulls have initiated egg laying; gull nest dissuasion activities implemented in 2013 appear to be somewhat successful because more than twice the number of gulls were counted on the island last year at this time
4/29 – 5/5/13 ›
High count during the week of 3 Caspian terns on Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; high count of 15 loafing ring-billed gull also observed on island; terns exhibiting pre-nesting behaviors
4/29 – 5/5/13 ›
High count during the week of 9 Caspian terns on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; high counts of 251 ring-billed gulls and 74 California gulls also observed on island; gulls and terns exhibiting pre-nesting behaviors
Weekly Update for 4/22 – 4/28/2013
4/28/13 ›
Survey of piscivorous colonial waterbirds nesting on two privately-owned islands on Singhus Ranch (north and south unnamed islands) near the north shore of Malheur Lake, Oregon; ca. 300 nesting American white pelicans (minimum of 24 active nests), ca. 60 nesting double-crested cormorants (minimum of 29 active nests), and one loafing Caspian tern counted on north unnamed island; ca. 150 American white pelicans on south unnamed island (nesting status unknown); in the previous 2 years, Caspian terns, double-crested cormorants, American white pelicans, and both species of gulls (California and ring-billed) attempted to nest on the north unnamed island, while just American white pelicans attempted to nest on the south unnamed island; both islands are just outside the boundaries of Malheur NWR
4/28/13 ›
Kaitlyn Farrar (intern with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) visited Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California
4/22 – 4/28/13 ›
High count during the week of 132 Caspian terns on the Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; high counts of 1,520 ring-billed gulls and 488 California gulls also observed on island; terns exhibiting pre-nesting behaviors (e.g., nest scraping, copulations, mate feeding) and gulls have initiated egg laying
4/22 – 4/28/13 ›
High count during the week of 51 Caspian terns on the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; high counts of 69 double-crested cormorants, 19 ring-billed gulls, 3 American white pelicans, and 3 California gulls also observed on island; terns, cormorants, and gulls not exhibiting pre-nesting behaviors
4/22 – 4/28/13 ›
High count during the week of 296 Caspian terns on the Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; high counts of 15 loafing gulls (mostly ring-billed gulls), 5 loafing American white pelicans, and 3 loafing double-crested cormorants also observed on island; terns exhibiting pre-nesting behaviors (e.g., nest scraping, copulations, mate feeding)
4/22 – 4/28/13 ›
High count during the week of 46 Caspian terns on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; high counts of 218 ring-billed gulls and 185 California gulls also observed on island; terns exhibiting pre-nesting behaviors (e.g., nest scraping, copulations, mate feeding) and gulls have initiated egg laying
4/22 – 4/28/13 ›
High count during the week of 2 Caspian terns on Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; high count of one ring-billed gull also observed on island; terns and gull not exhibiting pre-nesting behaviors
4/22 – 4/28/13 ›
High count during the week of 8 Caspian terns on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; high counts of 150 ring-billed gulls and 60 California gulls also observed on island; gulls and terns exhibiting pre-nesting behaviors
WEEKLY Update FOR 4/15 – 4/21/2013
4/21/13 ›
First Caspian terns (6) seen on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon
4/18/13 ›
First survey of piscivorous colonial waterbirds nesting on two privately-owned islands on Singhus Ranch (north and south unnamed islands) near the north shore of Malheur Lake, Oregon; ca. 300 American white pelicans and ca. 30 double-crested cormorants observed on north unnamed island; no piscivorous colonial waterbirds observed on south unnamed island; in the previous 2 years, Caspian terns, double-crested cormorants, American white pelicans, and both species of gulls (California and ring-billed) attempted to nest on the north unnamed island, while just American white pelicans attempted to nest on the south unnamed island; both islands are just outside the boundaries of Malheur NWR
4/17/13 ›
First Caspian terns (2) seen on Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California
4/15/13 ›
Camera and solar panels set up on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon
4/15 – 4/21/13 ›
High count during the week of 77 Caspian terns on the Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; high counts of 1,280 ring-billed gulls and 450 California gulls also observed on island; both terns and gulls exhibiting pre-nesting behaviors (e.g., nest scraping, copulations, mate feeding)
4/15 – 4/21/13 ›
High count during the week of 2 Caspian terns on the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; high counts of 50 double-crested cormorants, 7 American white pelicans, and 5 ring-billed gulls also observed on island
4/15 – 4/21/13 ›
High count during the week of 159 Caspian terns on the Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; high counts of 14 ring-billed gulls, 2 double-crested cormorants, 2 California gulls, and one American white pelican also observed on island; terns exhibiting pre-nesting behaviors (e.g., nest scraping, copulations, mate feeding)
4/15 – 4/21/13 ›
High count during the week of 6 Caspian terns on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; high counts of 391 ring-billed gulls and 297 California gulls also observed on island; both terns and gulls exhibiting pre-nesting behaviors (e.g., nest scraping, copulations, mate feeding)
4/15 – 4/21/13 ›
High count during the week of 6 Canada geese on Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; no Caspian terns or gulls observed on island
4/15 – 4/21/13 ›
High count during the week of 1 Caspian tern on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; high counts of 64 ring-billed gulls and 11 California gulls also observed on island; gulls exhibiting pre-nesting behaviors
Update FOR 3/27 – 4/14/2013
4/14/13 ›
First Caspian terns (2) seen on Gold Dike tern island (via remote video camera)
4/11/13 ›
First visit to Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; Caspian tern decoys (230), audio playback systems (2), and a video monitoring system installed on island
4/11/13 ›
First Caspian terns (18) observed on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR
4/10/13 ›
First Caspian terns sighted in Summer Lake Wildlife Area by project staff in 2013; 2 seen flying over East Link tern island
4/10/13 ›
First visit to East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; Caspian tern decoys (250) and audio playback systems (2) installed on island; 80 gulls observed on island
4/9/13 ›
First Caspian terns sighted on Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; 12 counted on island and 3 seen flying over island; 8 gulls also counted on island
4/9/13 ›
First visit to Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; Caspian tern decoys (269), audio playback systems (2), and a video monitoring system installed on island
4/6/13 ›
First visit to the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; Caspian tern decoys (200), audio playback systems (2), and a video monitoring system installed on island
4/5/13 ›
First Caspian tern sighted in Upper Klamath Basin, California by project staff in 2013; one seen flying over Sheepy Lake tern island
4/5/13 ›
Completed colony preparations at Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; Caspian tern decoys (250) and audio playback systems (2) installed on island
4/3/13 ›
First Caspian terns sighted in Warner Valley, Oregon by project staff in 2013; 11 seen flying over Crump Lake tern island
3/29/13 ›
First visit to Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; passive gull dissuasion (i.e., gull effigies) and active gull dissuasion (i.e., hazing and filling in nest scrapes) were used to delay gulls from nesting on part of the island until Caspian terns arrive; Caspian tern nesting chronology at this site is delayed compared to that of gulls; 42 roosting ring-billed gulls, 69 roosting California gulls, and 8 Canada goose nests were counted on island
3/27/13 ›
First visit to the Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; passive measures to dissuade gulls from nesting on part of the island (i.e., elevated netting placed over the designated tern colony area) and active gull dissuasion measures (i.e., hazing) were used to prevent gulls from nesting throughout the island until Caspian terns arrive; Caspian tern nesting chronology at this site is delayed compared to that of gulls; 652 roosting ring-billed gulls, 146 roosting California gulls, and one nesting Canada goose were counted on island; evidence of mammalian predator, possibly river otter(s), on the island
