Tweeters,

Last evening, 08-23-95 between 7:45PM and till near dark, I watched a
graceful, wheeling, soaring, hovering, diving flock of Common Terns
feeding quite close to shore about 300 yards north of the fishing pier at
the Des Moines, WA, marina.

I've been monitoring this area just since December, 94, and this is the
first time I've seen Common Terns here. The flock was a mix of juvenile
and adult, about a dozen or so. They were "jaeger-free." Perhaps, it is
a bit far south in the Puget Sound for jaegers.

Is this a routine location for Common Terns? The bird-finding-in-wa guide
by Wahl 'n Paulson indicated that these terns are aboundant in the Sound
area starting in August and on through early fall.

Where do these terns winter? Thanks for any info.

Maureen E. Ellis, PhD
Toxicology Group at Roos 1
DEH, SPHCM
Box 354695
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195
me2 at u.washington.edu