Gene and Tweets,

Barbara and I were down at Herring House (better: Kellog Island) watching Purple Martins yesterday, and we scoped more than 50 Caspian Terns (no Elegant Terns for us, either!) alternately loafing and noisily sparring with each other on small sand bars that were being covered by the rising tide. This immediate area probably wouldn't be suitable for nesting, though there might be space for them on Kellog Island itself. We have also seen the terns hanging out on Port of Seattle property east of Jack Block Park, where there is an old wharf (with several gourds to attract Purple Martins). Last evening we watched a spectacular quasi-courtship flight there by two of the terns in close formation. (I'm not familiar with the timing of their breeding behavior -- maybe it was just a late-season hormone rush.) But I've wondered if the terns might not find nesting space there, near the wharf. This area isn't accessible, but it seems unused, and perhaps the port would allow someone in to check it out.

Paul Webster
Seattle
paul.websterATcomcast.net

----- Original Message -----
From: Eugene and Nancy Hunn
To: 'tweeters'
Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2008 6:03 PM
Subject: [Tweeters] Caspian Terns on Kellogg Island, Duwamish River, Seattle


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