>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.

Down here in the Nisqually Reach, the tern numbers have been building
for a couple of weeks. They usually peak in about mid-September, with
flocks of hundreds or even thousands gathering off Anderson or Ketron
Islands.

>They were "jaeger-free." Perhaps, it is a bit far south in the Puget
>Sound for jaegers.

I haven't seen any jaegers yet this year, but usually the big tern
flocks have an "escort" of Parasitics. I counted eleven jaegers
harassing one tern flock in September '92. I love to watch the
jaegers approach the feeding terns: dark, menacing, shooting in at
wavetop level. Too many fighter pilot movies as a kid, I guess...


Eric Kraig
Olympia
kraig at wln.com