Subject: Re: Arctic Tern problems/questions
Date: Jun 13 09:36:25 1996
From: "Michael Patrick" - mpatrick at eldec.com


I've learned a very small bit about the breeding behavior of the northern
spotted owl, which is of course entirely unrelated to a tern. However, it
is apparently typical for them to not nest unless conditions are optimal.

These conditions usually being adequate prey base, which in the case of
SPOW is several years of good rain to bring up the population of flying
squirrels.

Perhaps the tern's behavior is related to the impact of oceanic
conditions on their favorite prey (i.e. I've heard a rumor of another El
Nin~o, that's suppossed to be a ~ on top of the second "n", year...).

> 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
>
>
>


Michael Patrick
mpatrick at eldec.com
(206)743-8204