Oh sure, I read all about it in Tweeters - how all the Caspians moved to Bellingham to breed in some fancy parking lot or whatever. "It's not fair" I whined. But after awhile I got over it. Given the choice between staring at the tarmac all night in Everett , or having sex in a safe gated community in Bellingham - well ,the Terns voted with their wings. Hopefully their breeding sucess will mean more Terns for everybody. Sad to hear that the Port up there is probably gonna screw the whole thing up for next year.







Yes, Jeff, we 'hamsters might have stolen "your terns" but the Port of Bellingham wants them to find yet another home. The Port has contracted wildlife specialists from the USDA ( that was my understanding) to erect silt fences (they're up!) on the colony site, which is now festooned with flashing mylar strips that twist in the slightest breeze to further discourage terns with nesting ideas. Coyote silhouettes and eagle kites should also be in place to add to the effect.

FWIW, I'm doing a presentation at the Wings Over Water Festival in Blaine, on March 19, to summarize the nesting success of 2009-10 and bring everyone up to date on what's become known around here as "the tern situation."

Cheers,
Joe Meche
Bellingham