Ruth Taylor wrote:

"I counted 77 Caspian Terns on the apple warehouse at Pier 91
yesterday, Sunday, afternoon; there were 52 there a week ago. I was
observing from near Seattle Filmworks, looking west. I did not go around
to the marina or go up on the Magnolia Bridge and try to look at the west
side of the roof, but I suspect there were more.

Hi Ruth,

Just wanted to mention that 'they' (Feds and University types) have
banded and color-banded a number of Caspian Terns at the ill-starred
nesting colony at the mouth of the Columbia. The Federal and State
governments' 'wildlife' agencies have altered the habitat and hazed the
birds from their nesting colony on Rice Island in the Columbia River
to reduce their predation on salmon & steelhead smolts - since 'They,
are unwilling to modify the Columbia and Snake dams' effects on the
fish or the other habitat maladies caused by 150 years of human ex-
istance in the region, the birds are deemed the culprit and suffer the
consequences.

The birds have relocated to Sand Island, 5 miles below the Megler-
Astoria bridge, and we can only hope that the terns' expected lower
predation rates on salmonid smolts at that location will give the agencies
a reason to lessen their persecution of these birds.

If we birders can help, I saw a flyer requesting observations of marked
Caspian Terns. I hope that we can get some observations of terns to
the researchers. "Birding with a Purpose"

Jon. Anderson
Olympia, Washington
festuca at olywa.net

W A N T E D

observations of CASPIAN TERNS with colored leg bands

Help researchers track the movements of color-banded Caspian terns
by noting the color-band combinations on the legs of terns, as well as
the time, date, location, and activity of any banded terns. Color-banded
terns have been marked with 6 bands (3 bands on each leg). The band
colors used were red, orange, yellow, dark blue, light green, dark green,
black, white, and silver (metal). Please report the color band
combinations on each leg, reading the colors from top to bottom.
Caspian terns with radio-transmitters (fixed to the central tail feathers)
will also have pink markings on one wing. If you see one of these birds
please note whether the pink is on the left or right wing. If you see
single green color bands try to record the engraved white letters and
numbers.

Please report all sightings to the web page: www.realtimeresearch.org
or contact: Dr. David P. Craig at Oregon State University, 104 Nash
Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331-3803, Phone: 541-737-2786, Email:
dcraig at transport.com. All records will go to the Nat'l Bird Banding Lab.