Subject: Arctic Tern problems/questions
Date: Jun 12 22:19:47 1996
From: fredbird - fredbird


A brief Everett Arctic tern update and questions:

They do not appear to be nesting this year. At least, they are not
attempting to nest in the usual and accustomed places: NW corner of
the Navy base and the yacht club parking lot on 13th street. John
Flavin continues to see the birds over Jetty Island, with a recent
record of eight seen June 5th over the island lagoon. The four birds
seen checking out the base area several weeks ago never reappeared.
Likewise, the three birds I saw courting at the parking lot in the
last week of May never came back, though a pair has nested there for
3-4 years. And, of course, there is the curious fact that the birds
didnt show up in Everett in the first place until the end of May,
almost a month late.

What gives? The area has clearly become less hospitable, reduced as
the birds have been to a dirt parking lot and Navy planter strips,
while Flavins island clearing continues to be ignored. Is this
peculiar colony finally writing its last chapter? Do similar small
colonies, such as on the east coast, have occasional off years.

Your (Tweeters) collective thoughts on this situation would be
appreciated.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Fred Bird fredbird at Halcyon.com
1249 NE 92nd St. 206-526-5671 - v
Seattle 98115 206-5226557 - fax