Dennis wrote:

> Well Stuart, we have to add eggs to the fare of the Ruddy Turnstone. A
> flock of migrant turnstones can descend on a tern colony and wipe it out in
> short shrift, probably a behavior that evolved on their wintering grounds
> on tropical islands where there are large terneries (thus the familiar
> phrase" turnstone-terminated ternery"). The turnstone bill is an
> all-purpose tool, and a tough one; turnstones are the smallest shorebirds
> that regularly mob and chase away large predatory birds.

Up in northern Norway we find most ruddy turnstones (Arenaria interpres)
nesting in the colonies of arctic terns (Sterna paridisea) . I think the terns
forgo the loss of a few eggs in return for the turnstones ability to knock
the stuffing out of arctic skuas (Parasitic Jaegers).

We also find quite a few litttle stints (Calidris minuta) nesting amongst the
terns. I'm sure the stints use the noise and bustle of the colony to get
early warning of predators and cover their presence.

Stuart
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Stuart MacKay McCaw Cellular Communications
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