Tweets,



I tried to answer my own question about nesting by Caspian Terns in King
County, following leads by several contributors. I didn't find any solid
evidence but did locate a roosting flock of 77 Caspian Terns (and no
Elegants. drat) on Kellogg Island visible from the newly rehabilitated salt
marsh wetland off West Marginal Way south of the West Seattle bridge, a park
called "Herring's House," once the site of a large Duwamish Indian village.



Only one of the 77 was juvenile, and it was full grown, showing juvenal
feathering on the back and a black tip to the bill. After about 20 minutes
of loafing peaceably a half dozen adult Caspians started a row, harassing
this poor juvenile and apparently attempting to drive it off. After five
minutes of this cat fight they all settled down peaceably once again.



Any sociobiological scenarios that might explain what was going on? I can't
say if this juvenile was reared locally or not. It seems strange that if
they did nest here they are entirely finished so early. Brien Meilleur did
mention seeing adults bringing fish in in this vicinity, but I think that
was last year.



Gene.

18476 47th Pl. NE

Lake Forest Park, WA

enhunn323 at comcast.net