These birds were almost certainly dyed by Dr. Dan Roby and his colleagues at Oregon State University to track movements of Caspian Terns. Dan has been studying Caspian Terns in the Lower Columbia Estuary since 1997. For more info, see the web site for the project at www.columbiabirdresearch.org.. This research, including dying birds, is NOT part of any plan to kill Caspian Terns, contrary to Mike Denny's assumption.

Cheers,

Chris

Chris Thompson, Ph.D.
Research Scientist
Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife