Further to the posts about the terns in Bellingham last year, I might offer a bit of info on the specific prey fish that were observed as 'bill loads' and delivered to chicks on the nesting site.

*Excerpted from the official 2010 summary of the Caspian Tern Colony Monitoring prepared by Oregon State University and Bird Research Northwest:
During six site visits, prey type of fish were recorded on 25 "fishwatch observations" per visit.
Of the 124 fish observed were 31% clupeid, 21% snake prickleback, 12% salmonid, 10% surfperch, 8%sculpin, 8% smelt, 7% anchovy, and 2% sand lance.

Many individuals reported terns fishing on local lakes (Whatcom, Padden, and Samish) throughout the summer. I personally observed terns successfully fishing for anchovies inside Squalicum Harbor, just west of the colony site, as well as a variety of fish in the Whatcom Waterway, adjacent to the site.

To reiterate, I questioned the Port about a compromise of sorts to allow the terns to continue nesting, albeit on a much smaller scale on a small part of the property but, again, they're not interested in spending any time or money along those lines.

I have notes and numerous photos from my own 37 visits to the site between June 14 and September 25, if anyone needs a hand in mounting a charge.

Joe Meche
Bellingham