Weekly Update for 8/31 – 9/6/2015
9/6/15 ›
This completes our regular weekly reporting of field research activities in the Columbia River estuary for 2015
8/31 – 9/6/15 ›
High count for the week of an estimated 1,200 adult Caspian terns on East Sand Island tern colony, lower than the estimated high count for the previous week (ca. 2,650); numbers of terns attending the colony declined dramatically after a powerful storm system passed through on 29 August, with only 14 black-cap tern chicks and one incubating tern remaining on colony this past week
8/31 – 9/6/15 ›
No Caspian terns were attending the satellite colonies on the south beach and on the upland site located just south of the silt fencing that surrounds the 1-acre tern colony area this past week
9/4/15 ›
Ninth boat-based survey this season for roosting California brown pelicans was conducted at East Sand Island; ca. 4,000 brown pelicans were counted (similar to the the count conducted the previous week), with most observed on the south beach at the east end of the island, near the Caspian tern colony; no nesting attempts by California brown pelicans were detected on East Sand Island this year
Weekly Update for 8/24 – 8/30/2015
8/24 – 8/30/15 ›
High count for the week of an estimated 2,650 adult Caspian terns on East Sand Island tern colony, lower than the estimated high count for the previous week (ca. 4,240); numbers of terns attending the colony declined dramatically after a powerful storm system passed through on 29 August (see below), with only about 100 tern chicks and no tern eggs remaining on colony following the storm
8/29 – 8/30/15 ›
The satellite colony of Caspian terns on the south beach adjacent to the 1-acre designated tern colony area failed during the storm on 29 August; the upper beach was completely washed over, with shifting sand and woody debris strewn over the former satellite colony site; after the storm about 40 adult terns remained on the upland satellite tern colony site located just south of the silt fencing that surrounds the 1-acre tern colony area
8/24 – 8/30/15 ›
Peregrine falcons continue to cause disturbance to Caspian terns, gulls, and California brown pelicans on the east end of the island, mostly flushing roosting birds
8/29/15 ›
Strongest summer storm in Pacific Northwest history moved across the Columbia River estuary, bringing heavy rains (1.1 inches) and gale-force winds (50-80 mph)
8/25/15 ›
Eighth boat-based survey this season for roosting California brown pelicans was conducted at East Sand Island; ca. 3,900 brown pelicans were counted, with most observed on the south beach at the east end of the island, near the Caspian tern colony; no nesting attempts by California brown pelicans were detected on East Sand Island this year
Weekly Update for 8/17 – 8/23/2015
8/17 – 8/23/15 ›
High count for the week of an estimated 4,240 adult Caspian terns on East Sand Island tern colony, lower than the estimated high count for the previous week (ca. 5,610); hundreds of adult terns are still attending nests with eggs or small chicks; however, most tern chicks have fledged and are either loafing on the surrounding beaches or have left the island entirely
8/17 – 8/23/15 ›
Caspian terns continue to nest in a satellite colony immediately adjacent to the designated 1-acre colony area; this week ca. 450 adult Caspian terns and ca. 100 attended and active tern nests were counted; these terns are nesting on the upper southeast beach underneath nest dissuasion materials (ropes, stakes, and flagging) and behind a silt fence that separates the main colony area from the satellite colony area; 8 attended and active tern nests were observed on a grassy bank above the south beach satellite colony this week; at least one tern egg was previously observed in this area
8/17 – 8/23/15 ›
Peregrine falcons continue to cause disturbance to Caspian terns, gulls, and California brown pelicans on the east end of the island, mostly flushing roosting birds
Weekly Update for 8/10 – 8/16/2015
8/10 – 8/16/15 ›
High count for the week of an estimated 5,610 adult Caspian terns on East Sand Island tern colony, similar to the estimated high count for the previous week (ca. 5,420); ca. 1,100 adult terns are still attending nests with eggs or small chicks; a minimum of ca. 660 older tern chicks were counted on colony this week, most in the black-cap or black-mask phase of plumage development
8/10 – 8/16/15 ›
Caspian terns continue to nest in a satellite colony immediately adjacent to the designated 1-acre colony area; this week ca. 450 adult Caspian terns and ca. 150 attended and active tern nests were counted; these terns are nesting on the upper southeast beach underneath nest dissuasion materials (ropes, stakes, and flagging) and behind a silt fence that separates the main colony area from the satellite colony area; 10 attended and active tern nests were observed on a grassy bank above the south beach satellite colony this week; at least one tern egg has previously been observed in this area
8/10 – 8/16/15 ›
Peregrine falcons continue to cause disturbance to Caspian terns, gulls, and California brown pelicans on the east end of the island, mostly flushing roosting birds; fresh river otter tracks were observed on the north beach near the Caspian tern colony
8/14/15 ›
277 Caspian tern chicks captured and banded with field-readable plastic leg bands and engraved metal federal leg bands on East Sand Island tern colony in the Columbia River estuary
Weekly Update for 8/3 – 8/9/2015
8/3 – 8/9/15 ›
High count for the week of an estimated 5,420 adult Caspian terns on East Sand Island tern colony, lower than the estimated high count for the previous week (ca. 6,240); ca. 1,370 adult terns are still attending nests with eggs or small chicks; a minimum of ca. 780 older tern chicks were counted on colony this week, most in the black-cap or black-mask phase of plumage development
8/3 – 8/9/15 ›
Caspian terns continue to nest in a satellite colony immediately adjacent to the designated 1-acre colony area; this week ca. 850 adult Caspian terns and ca. 350 attended and active tern nests were counted; these terns are nesting on the upper southeast beach underneath nest dissuasion materials (ropes, stakes, and flagging) and behind a silt fence that separates the main colony area from the satellite colony area; 10 attended and active tern nests were observed on a grassy bank above the south beach satellite colony this week; at least one tern egg has previously been observed in this area
8/3 – 8/9/15 ›
Peregrine falcons continue to cause disturbance to Caspian terns, gulls, and California brown pelicans on the east end of the island, mostly flushing roosting birds; fresh river otter tracks were observed on the north beach near the Caspian tern colony
Weekly Update for 7/27 – 8/2/2015
7/27 – 8/2/15 ›
High count for the week of an estimated 6,240 Caspian terns on East Sand Island tern colony, lower than the estimated high count for the previous week (ca. 7,580); the majority of the tern chicks from the center of the colony have fledged; large numbers of tern chicks remain on colony, mostly downy and black-masked chicks around the perimeter of the colony; numbers of Caspian terns counted off-colony this week were similar to numbers counted in previous weeks, with ca. 1,000 adult terns and 100’s of tern fledglings regularly seen loafing on the north and east beaches of East Sand Island
7/27 – 8/2/15 ›
Caspian terns continue to nest in a satellite colony immediately adjacent to the designated 1-acre colony area; this week ca. 850 adult Caspian terns, ca. 350 attended and active tern nests, and ca. 150 tern chicks were counted; these terns are nesting on the upper southeast beach underneath nest dissuasion materials (ropes, stakes, and flagging) and behind a silt fence that separates the main colony area from the satellite colony area; this 17 terns were observed in incubation posture on a grassy bank above the south beach satellite colony this week; at least one tern egg has been previously observed in this area
7/27 – 8/2/15 ›
Peregrine falcons continue to cause disturbance to Caspian terns, gulls, and California brown pelicans on the east end of the island, mostly flushing roosting birds
7/29/15 ›
Seventh boat-based survey this season for roosting California brown pelicans was conducted at East Sand Island; ca. 7,100 brown pelicans were counted, with most observed on the south beach at the east end of the island, near the Caspian tern colony; no nesting attempts by California brown pelicans have been detected on East Sand Island so far this year
Weekly Update for 7/20 – 7/26/2015
7/20 – 7/26/15 ›
High count for the week of an estimated 7,580 Caspian terns on East Sand Island tern colony, similar to the estimated high count for the previous week (ca. 7,885); the majority of the black-capped tern chicks from the center of the colony fledged by the end of the week; large numbers of tern chicks remain on colony, mostly downy and black-masked chicks around the perimeter of the colony; some new tern nests are being initiated in areas vacated by previous breeders; disturbance rates to the tern colony by bald eagles and peregrine falcons on the main colony remained low this week; numbers of Caspian terns counted off-colony this week were similar to numbers counted in previous weeks, with ca. 1,000 adult terns and 100’s of tern fledglings regularly seen loafing on the north and east beaches of East Sand Island
7/20 – 7/26/15 ›
Caspian terns continue to nest in a satellite colony immediately adjacent to the designated 1-acre colony area; this week ca. 1,200 adult Caspian terns, ca. 450 attended tern nests, and ca. 60 tern chicks were counted; these terns are nesting on the upper southeast beach underneath nest dissuasion materials (ropes, stakes, and flagging) and behind a silt fence that separates the main colony area from the satellite colony area; for the first time, 10 terns were observed in incubation posture on a grassy bank above the south beach satellite colony this week; at least one tern egg was observed in this area
7/20 – 7/26/15 ›
Signs of multiple predators observed on East Sand Island; bald eagles and peregrine falcons continue to cause disturbance to Caspian terns, gulls, and California brown pelicans on the east end of the island, mostly flushing roosting birds
Weekly Update for 7/13 – 7/19/2015
7/13 – 7/19/15 ›
High count for the week of an estimated 7,885 Caspian terns on East Sand Island tern colony, lower than the estimated high count for the previous week (ca. 8,775); Caspian tern chicks continue to fledge, with a noticeable increase in the number of black-capped chicks loafing with adults on the east beaches; a total of ca. 1,900 tern chicks remain on colony, the majority of these chicks were either in the black-cap or downy stage; disturbances to the tern colony by bald eagles and peregrine falcons on the main colony declined this past week compared to what was observed in previous weeks; three Caspian terns that were previously satellite-tagged at either Crescent Island or Goose Island were observed on the East Sand Island tern colony this week, each attending a nest with chicks; numbers of Caspian terns counted off-colony this week were similar to numbers counted in previous weeks, with ca. 1,000 terns regularly seen loafing on the north and east beaches of East Sand Island
7/13 – 7/19/15 ›
Caspian terns continue to nest in a satellite colony immediately adjacent to the designated 1-acre colony area; this week ca. 1,500 Caspian terns and ca. 650 attended Caspian tern nests were counted; these terns are nesting on the upper southeast beach underneath nest dissuasion materials (ropes, stakes, and flagging) and behind a silt fence that separates the main colony area from the satellite colony area; regular disturbances to nesting Caspian terns in this satellite colony by peregrine falcons and bald eagles continued this week, causing high rates of egg and downy chick loss to depredation by glaucous-winged/western gulls compared to the main colony
7/13 – 7/19/15 ›
Signs of multiple predators observed on East Sand Island; bald eagles and peregrine falcons continue to cause disturbance to nesting Caspian terns, gulls, and roosting California brown pelicans on the east end of the island
7/15/15 ›
Sixth boat-based survey this season for roosting California brown pelicans was conducted at East Sand Island; ca. 6,980 brown pelicans were counted, with most observed on the south beach at the east end of the island, near the Caspian tern colony; no nesting attempts by California brown pelicans have been detected on East Sand Island so far this year
Weekly Update for 7/6 – 7/12/2015
7/6 – 7/12/15 ›
High count for the week of an estimated 8,775 Caspian terns on East Sand Island tern colony, lower than the estimated high count for the previous week (ca. 9,350); Caspian tern chicks are beginning to fledge from nests located at the center of colony; however, there are still a large number of downy chicks being brooded by adults around the periphery of the colony; disturbances to the tern colony by bald eagles and peregrine falcons continued, but at a lower frequency and causing only localized flushes of nesting terns within the colony; three Caspian terns that were previously satellite-tagged at either Crescent Island or Goose Island were observed on the East Sand Island tern colony this week, each attending a nest with chicks; numbers of Caspian terns counted off-colony this week were similar to numbers counted the previous week, with ca. 1,000 terns regularly seen loafing on the north and east beaches of East Sand Island
7/6 – 7/12/15 ›
Caspian terns continue to nest in a satellite colony immediately adjacent to the designated 1-acre colony area; this week ca. 1,500 Caspian terns and ca. 650 attended Caspian tern nests were counted; these terns are nesting on the upper southeast beach underneath nest dissuasion materials (ropes, stakes, and flagging) and behind a silt fence that separates the main colony area from the satellite colony area; regular disturbances to nesting Caspian terns in this satellite colony by peregrine falcons and bald eagles continued this week, causing high rates of egg loss to depredation by glaucous-winged/western gulls compared to the main colony
7/6 – 7/12/15 ›
Signs of multiple predators observed on East Sand Island; bald eagles and peregrine falcons continue to cause disturbance to nesting Caspian terns and gulls and roosting California brown pelicans on the east end of the island
7/11 – 7/12/15 ›
Two young male black-tailed deer swam out to the east end of East Sand Island and wandered amongst the nesting and roosting birds; while causing some disturbance to roosting brown pelicans, the deer were not observed causing nest failure for breeding birds
Weekly Update for 6/29 – 7/5/2015
6/29 – 7/5/15 ›
High count for the week of an estimated 9,350 Caspian terns on East Sand Island tern colony, lower than the estimated high count for the previous week (ca. 10,250); Caspian tern chicks ranged in age from the downy stage to the black-capped stage (close to fledging), with the majority at the black-mask and black-capped stages; tern egg-laying is still occurring at the perimeter of the colony, where nest failure tends to be higher than at the center of the colony; the rate of tern egg-laying has apparently declined over the past two weeks as compared to previous weeks; disturbances to the tern colony by bald eagles and peregrine falcons continued, but at a lower frequency and causing only localized flushes of nesting terns within the colony; three Caspian terns that were previously satellite-tagged at either Crescent Islands or Goose Island were observed on the East Sand Island tern colony this week, each attending a nest with chicks; numbers of Caspian terns counted off-colony increased this week compared to last week, with ca. 1,000 terns regularly seen loafing on the north and east beaches of East Sand Island
6/29 – 7/5/15 ›
Caspian terns continue to nest in a satellite colony immediately adjacent to the designated 1-acre colony area; this week ca. 1,500 Caspian terns and ca. 750 attended Caspian tern nests were counted; these terns are nesting on the upper southeast beach underneath nest dissuasion materials (ropes, stakes, and flagging) and behind a silt fence that separates the main colony area from the satellite colony area; regular disturbances to nesting Caspian terns in this satellite colony by peregrine falcons and bald eagles continued this week, causing high rates of egg loss to depredation by glaucous-winged/western gulls compared to the main colony
6/29 – 7/5/15 ›
Signs of multiple predators observed on East Sand Island; bald eagles and peregrine falcons continue to cause disturbance to nesting Caspian terns and gulls and roosting California brown pelicans on the east end of the island
7/3/15 ›
First Caspian tern fledgling observed on the East Sand Island tern colony this season; the fledgling was subsequently killed by a glaucous-winged/western gull
7/3/15 ›
Fifth boat-based survey this season for roosting California brown pelicans was conducted at East Sand Island; ca. 6,240 brown pelicans were counted on East Sand Island, with most observed on the south beach at the east end of the island, near the Caspian tern colony; no nesting attempts by California brown pelicans have been detected on East Sand Island so far this year
Weekly Update for 6/22 – 6/28/2015
6/22 – 6/28/15 ›
High count for the week of an estimated 10,250 Caspian terns on East Sand Island tern colony, similar to the estimated high count for the previous week (ca. 10,100); tern chicks ranged in age between downy to black-capped, with the majority at the black-mask to black-capped stage; egg laying is still occurring at the perimeter of the colony where nest failure tends to be higher than at the center of the colony, however the rate of egg laying appears to be in decline as compared to what was observed in previous weeks; disturbances to the colony by bald eagles and peregrine falcons increased slightly this past week as compared to previous two weeks, however these disturbances caused mostly localized flushes of nesting terns; despite the increase in the disturbance rate at the tern colony by eagles and falcons, the rate of gull nest predation on tern eggs and chicks remained low; two Caspian terns that were satellite-tagged on Crescent Island in the mid-Columbia River earlier this season and one Caspian tern that was satellite-tagged on Goose Island in Potholes Reservoir last year were observed on the East Sand Island tern colony this week, all were attending nests with chicks; numbers of Caspian terns counted off-colony increased this past week, with ca. 1,000 terns regularly seen loafing on the north and east beaches of East Sand Island
6/22 – 6/28/15 ›
Corps’ contractors (LKE) completed their monitoring of the Caspian tern nest dissuasion areas at the east and west ends of East Sand Island this past week; no new nesting attempts by Caspian terns were observed on the eastern tip of East Sand Island this week; the number of Caspian terns counted in a satellite colony immediately adjacent to the designated 1-acre colony area increased this past week to ca. 1,500 individuals and ca. 750 attended nests; these terns are nesting on the upper southeast beach underneath nest dissuasion materials (ropes, stakes, and flagging) and behind a silt fence that separates the main colony area from the satellite colony area; regular disturbance to terns in these areas by peregrine falcons and bald eagles continued this past week, causing high rates of egg loss to depredation by glaucous-winged/western gulls
6/22 – 6/28/15 ›
Signs of multiple predators observed on East Sand Island; bald eagles and peregrine falcons continue to cause disturbance to nesting Caspian terns and gulls and roosting California brown pelicans on the east end of the island
6/23/15 ›
Third and final aerial survey of the Columbia River estuary (CRE), Willapa Bay, and Grays Harbor; main objective of flight was to detect the formation and status of new Caspian tern colonies; ca. 1,400 Caspian terns (up from ca. 550 on 27 May) counted at two locations on the west end of Rice Island, most were engaged in nesting behaviors (i.e., sitting and scrapping); a newly formed Caspian tern colony that was observed at No Name Island in Grays Harbor in late May has failed likely due to tern nests being inundated during high high tide events in June; no terns were observed at or near No Name Island during the survey; no other aggregations of Caspian terns were observed in habitat suitable for nesting during the survey
Weekly Update for 6/15 – 6/21/2015
6/15 – 6/21/15 ›
High count for the week of an estimated 10,090 Caspian terns on East Sand Island tern colony, greater than the estimated high count for the previous week (ca. 9,340); most tern chicks on the colony are in the mid-sized to black-mask stage, with some chicks entering the black-capped stage by the end of the week; in general, nesting chronology of terns at the perimeter of the colony is behind that of terns nesting in the center of the colony, due to greater rates of nest failure and relaying by terns around the perimeter as compared to terns in the center of the colony; disturbances to the colony by bald eagles and the associated nest predation of tern eggs and chicks by glaucous-winged/western gulls declined again this week as compared to last week; two Caspian terns that were satellite-tagged on Crescent Island in the mid-Columbia River earlier this season and one Caspian tern that was satellite-tagged on Goose Island in Potholes Reservoir last year were observed on the East Sand Island tern colony this week, all were attending nests with chicks; numbers of Caspian terns counted off-colony continued to decline, with ca. 500 terns regularly seen loafing on the north and east beaches of East Sand Island
6/15 – 6/21/15 ›
Corps’ contractors (LKE) continued monitoring Caspian tern nest dissuasion areas at the east and west ends of East Sand Island; no new nesting attempts by Caspian terns were observed on the eastern tip of East Sand Island this week; more than 1,000 Caspian terns and ca. 550 attended Caspian tern nests counted in a satellite colony immediately adjacent to the designated 1-acre colony area this week; these terns are nesting on the upper southeast beach underneath nest dissuasion materials (ropes, stakes, and flagging) and behind a silt fence that separates the main colony area from the satellite colony area; the satellite tern colony was disturbed daily by peregrine falcons and bald eagles this week, causing high rates of egg loss to depredation by glaucous-winged/western gulls
6/15 – 6/21/15 ›
Signs of multiple predators observed on East Sand Island; bald eagles and peregrine falcons continue to cause disturbance to nesting Caspian terns and gulls on the east end of the island; fresh river otter tracks were observed on the north beach near the Caspian tern colony
6/18/15 ›
Fourth boat-based survey this season for roosting California brown pelicans was conducted at East Sand Island; ca. 9,290 brown pelicans were counted on East Sand Island, with most observed on the south beach at the east end of the island, near the Caspian tern colony; ca. 500 brown pelicans were also observed in an upland grassy area near the tern colony where brown pelicans attempted to nest in previous years
Weekly Update for 6/8 – 6/14/2015
6/8 – 6/14/15 ›
High count for the week of an estimated 9,340 Caspian terns on East Sand Island tern colony, greater than the estimated high count for the previous week (ca. 8,500); most Caspian terns nesting on East Sand Island are brooding downy to mid-sized chicks, with some older chicks becoming quite mobile; disturbances to the colony by bald eagles and the associated nest predation of tern eggs and chicks by glaucous-winged/western gulls declined this week as compared to last week; three Caspian terns that were satellite-tagged on Crescent Island in the mid-Columbia River earlier this season and one Caspian tern that was satellite-tagged on Goose Island in Potholes Reservoir last year were observed on the East Sand Island tern colony this week, three were attending nests with eggs and/or chicks and one was observed loafing; numbers of Caspian terns counted off-colony continued to decline, with ca. 600 terns regularly seen loafing on the north and east beaches of East Sand Island
6/8 – 6/14/15 ›
Corps’ contractors (LKE) continued monitoring Caspian tern nest dissuasion areas at the east and west ends of East Sand Island; no new nesting attempts by Caspian terns were observed on the eastern tip of East Sand Island this past week; roughly 900 pairs of Caspian terns continue to nest in a satellite colony immediately adjacent to the designated 1-acre colony area; these terns are nesting on the upper southeast beach underneath nest dissuasion materials (ropes, stakes, and flagging) and behind a silt fence that separates the main colony area from the satellite colony area
6/8 – 6/14/15 ›
Signs of multiple predators observed on East Sand Island; bald eagles and peregrine falcons continue to cause disturbance to nesting Caspian terns and gulls on the east end of the island; fresh river otter tracks were observed on the north beach near the Caspian tern colony
Weekly Update for 6/1 – 6/7/2015
6/1 – 6/7/15 ›
High count for the week of an estimated 8,500 Caspian terns on East Sand Island tern colony, slightly greater than the estimated high count for the previous week (8,075); roughly half of the Caspian terns nesting on East Sand Island are brooding downy to mid-sized chicks; Caspian tern nests located at the periphery of the main colony continue to experience high levels of nest predation by glaucous-winged/western gulls during bald eagle disturbances, both of which increased this week as compared to last week; three Caspian terns that were satellite-tagged on Crescent Island in the mid-Columbia River earlier this season remained on the East Sand Island tern colony this week, all three attending nests with eggs and/or chicks; numbers of Caspian terns counted off-colony declined this week compared to last week, with 500-1,000 terns regularly seen loafing on the north and east beaches of East Sand Island
6/1 – 6/7/15 ›
Corps’ contractors (LKE) continued monitoring Caspian tern nest dissuasion areas at the east and west ends of East Sand Island; no new nesting attempts by Caspian terns were observed on the eastern tip of East Sand Island this past week; hundreds of pairs of Caspian terns continue to nest in a satellite colony immediately adjacent to the designated 1-acre colony area; these terns are nesting on the upper southeast beach underneath nest dissuasion materials (ropes, stakes, and flagging) and behind silt fencing that separates the main colony area from the satellite colony area
6/1 – 6/7/15 ›
Signs of multiple predators observed on East Sand Island; bald eagles and peregrine falcons continue to cause disturbance to nesting Caspian terns and gulls on the east end of the island; fresh river otter tracks were observed on the north beach near the Caspian tern colony
6/3/15 ›
Third boat-based survey this season for roosting California brown pelicans was conducted at East Sand Island; ca. 5,410 brown pelicans were counted on East Sand Island, nearly all on the south beach at the east end of the island, near the Caspian tern colony; no brown pelicans were seen roosting on the western half of East Sand Island
Weekly Update for 5/25 – 5/31/2015
5/25 – 5/31/15 ›
High count for the week of an estimated 8,075 Caspian terns on East Sand Island tern colony, slightly greater than the estimated high count for the previous week (7,780); roughly a third of the Caspian terns nesting on East Sand Island are brooding downy chicks, with the oldest chicks estimated to be 9-10 days old; numbers of Caspian terns counted off-colony remained high this week, with 900-1,500 terns regularly seen loafing on the east beaches of East Sand Island; Caspian tern nests located at the periphery of the main colony continue to experience high levels of nest predation by glaucous-winged/western gulls during bald eagle disturbances, both of which increased this week as compared to last week; three Caspian terns that were satellite-tagged on Crescent Island in the mid-Columbia River earlier this season remained on the East Sand Island tern colony this week, all three attending nests with eggs and/or chicks
5/25 – 5/31/15 ›
Corps’ contractors (LKE) continued monitoring Caspian tern nest dissuasion areas at the east and west ends of East Sand Island; no new nesting attempts by Caspian terns were observed on the eastern tip of East Sand Island this past week; hundreds of pairs of Caspian terns continue to nest in a satellite colony immediately adjacent to the designated 1-acre colony area; these terns are nesting on the upper southeast beach underneath nest dissuasion materials (ropes, stakes, and flagging) and behind silt fencing that separates the main colony area from the satellite colony area
5/25 – 5/31/15 ›
Signs of multiple predators observed on East Sand Island; bald eagles and peregrine falcons continue to cause disturbance to nesting Caspian terns and gulls on the east end of the island; fresh river otter tracks were observed on the south beach near the Caspian tern colony
5/27 & 5/31/15 ›
Second aerial survey of the Columbia River estuary (CRE), Willapa Bay, and Grays Harbor; main objective of flight was to detect the formation of new Caspian tern colonies; ca. 550 Caspian terns observed sitting, scraping, and copulating on the upper, northwest end of Rice Island, to the east of the dredged material deposited in 2014 on the site of the old Caspian tern colony at the west end of the island; a newly formed Caspian tern colony was observed at No Name Island in Grays Harbor where ca. 875 Caspian terns were counted, about half of which were attending nests with eggs; no other aggregations of Caspian terns were observed in habitat suitable for nesting during the survey
Weekly Update for 5/18 – 5/24/2015
5/18 – 5/24/15 ›
High count for the week of an estimated 7,780 Caspian terns on East Sand Island tern colony, similar to the estimated high count for the previous week (7,630); the majority of the tern colony is in the mid- to late incubation phase; numbers of Caspian terns counted off-colony remained high this week, with 900-1,500 terns regularly seen loafing on the east beaches of East Sand Island; in general, the Caspian tern colony appeared to be more settled this week compared to previous weeks, with terns being less susceptible to disturbance and flushing less frequently from the colony; three Caspian terns that were satellite-tagged on Crescent Island in the mid-Columbia River earlier this season remained on the East Sand Island tern colony this week, all three attending nests with eggs
5/18 – 5/24/15 ›
Corps’ contractors (LKE) continued monitoring Caspian tern nest dissuasion areas at the east and west ends of East Sand Island; nesting attempts by Caspian terns on the eastern tip of East Sand Island declined this week compared to the previous week; ca. 300 Caspian terns and ca. 100 attended tern nested counted adjacent to and underneath nest dissuasion materials (ropes, stakes, and flagging) above the waterline on the upper southeast beach, adjacent to the Caspian tern colony; ca. 180 Caspian terns and ca. 60 attended tern nests on the old colony site behind the silt fencing, outside the designated 1-acre colony area; 7 tern nests with eggs confirmed in this area on 23 May (all eggs were subsequently depredated by gulls later that day)
5/18 – 5/24/15 ›
Signs of multiple predators observed on East Sand Island; no signs of disturbance or predation by great horned owls at the Caspian tern colony for the third consecutive week; bald eagles and peregrine falcons continue to cause disturbance to nesting Caspian terns and gulls on the east end of the island; fresh river otter tracks were observed on the south beach
5/23/15 ›
First Caspian tern chick observed on the East Sand Island tern colony this season
5/21/15 ›
Second boat-based survey of roosting California brown pelicans conducted at East Sand Island; ca. 4,170 brown pelicans counted, nearly all on the south beach at the east end of the island, near the Caspian tern colony; no brown pelicans were seen roosting on the western half of East Sand Island
5/21/15 ›
Third ground-based survey of the western end of Rice Island to resight banded Caspian terns; one banded Caspian tern was found dead at the site, apparently due to predation by a bald eagle
Weekly Update for 5/11 – 5/17/2015
5/11 – 5/17/15 ›
High count for the week of an estimated 7,630 Caspian terns on East Sand Island tern colony, higher than the estimated high count for the previous week (6,160); numbers of Caspian terns counted off-colony remained high this past week, with 900-1,500 terns regularly seen loafing on the east beaches; in general, the tern colony appeared to be more settled this week as compared to previous weeks, with terns being less susceptible to disturbance and flushing less frequently from the colony; three Caspian terns that were satellite-tagged on Crescent Island on the mid-Columbia River earlier this season remained on the East Sand Island tern colony this week, all three attending nests with eggs until one satellite-tagged tern lost its eggs to gull predation on 11 May
5/11 – 5/17/15 ›
Corps’ contractors (LKE) continued monitoring Caspian tern nest dissuasion areas at the east and west ends of East Sand Island; ca. 500 Caspian terns continue to roost adjacent to nest dissuasion materials (ropes, stakes, and flagging) above the waterline on the upper southeast beach, adjacent to the Caspian tern colony; ca. 100 terns and 40 attended tern nests are now located underneath nest dissuasion materials in this area; a minimum of five Caspian terns eggs were laid in off-colony areas on East Sand Island this week, three of which were subsequently depredated by gulls
5/11 – 5/17/15 ›
Signs of multiple predators observed on East Sand Island; no signs of disturbance or predation by great horned owls at the Caspian tern colony for the second consecutive week; bald eagles and peregrine falcons continue to cause disturbance to nesting Caspian terns and gulls on the east end of the island; fresh river otter tracks and, for the first time this season, raccoon tracks were observed on the south beach
5/14/15 ›
Second ground-based survey of Rice Island to resight banded Caspian terns; ca. 265 Caspian terns were seen on the west end of Rice Island, one group of ca. 150 terns on fresh dredged material that was deposited on the island in 2014, and another group of ca. 115 terns adjacent to the area of fresh dredged material; a total of 16 banded Caspian terns were resighted on Rice Island, only 5 of which had been resighted earlier this season on East Sand Island.
Weekly Update for 5/4 – 5/10/2015
5/4 – 5/10/15 ›
High count for the week of an estimated 6,100 Caspian terns on East Sand Island tern colony, slightly higher than the estimated high count for the previous week (5,900); an increase in average Caspian tern nesting density on the tern colony was observed this week compared to the previous week; associated with higher nesting densities in core areas of the colony more Caspian terns have been setting up nest territories at the periphery of the colony, where gull depredation rates are higher than in the core; nest chronology on the tern colony is highly asynchronous, with the outer edges and western portion of the colony experiencing higher rates of egg loss due to intense predation pressure from gulls; three Caspian terns that were satellite-tagged on Crescent Island on the mid-Columbia River earlier this year were resighted on the East Sand Island tern colony attending nests with eggs
5/4 – 5/10/15 ›
Corps’ contractors (LKE) continued monitoring Caspian tern nest dissuasion areas at the east and west ends of East Sand Island; ca. 500 Caspian terns continue to roost adjacent to nest dissuasion materials (ropes, stakes, and flagging) above the waterline on the upper southeast beach, adjacent to the Caspian tern colony; at least six pairs of terns have moved underneath nest dissuasion materials and are sitting in nest scrapes; terns in this area are frequently disturbed by bald eagles and peregrine falcons, and part of the area will likely become inundated during upcoming high high tide events, but some Caspian tern nests initiated in this area outside the 1-acre managed colony area may persist
5/4 – 5/10/15 ›
Signs of multiple predators observed on East Sand Island; no signs of disturbance or predation by great horned owls at the Caspian tern colony this week; frequent daytime bald eagle and peregrine falcon disturbances to nesting terns and gulls on the east end of the island and roosting California brown pelicans on the southeast beach; these disturbances cause Caspian terns to flush from their nests, which allows glaucous-winged/western gulls to depredate tern eggs from unattended nests; there has been a recent lull in bald eagle visits to the Caspian tern colony during evening twilight, disturbances that cause large numbers of tern eggs to be depredated by gulls; fresh river otter tracks seen on the south beach
5/8/15 ›
First boat-based survey of roosting California brown pelicans conducted at East Sand Island; ca. 950 brown pelicans counted, nearly all on the south beach at the east end of the island, near the Caspian tern colony
5/7/15 ›
First ground-based survey of Rice Island to resight banded Caspian terns; ca. 900 Caspian terns and ca. 400 tern nest scrapes counted on dredge spoil that was deposited in 2014 on the former colony site used by Caspian terns in the late 1990s; no Caspian tern eggs were observed
Weekly Update for 4/27 – 5/3/2015
4/27 – 5/3/15 ›
High count for the week of an estimated 5,900 Caspian terns on East Sand Island tern colony, the same as the estimated high count for the previous week; an increase in tern nesting activity was observed compared to the previous week; nest chronology on the tern colony is highly asynchronous, with the outer edges and western portion of the colony experiencing high rates of egg loss due to gull depredation; three terns that were satellite-tagged on Crescent Island on the mid-Columbia River earlier this year were resighted on the East Sand Island tern colony attempting to initiate nests this week
4/27 – 5/3/15 ›
Corps’ contractors (LKE) continued monitoring Caspian tern nest dissuasion areas at the east and west ends of East Sand Island; ca. 500 Caspian terns were observed roosting between dissuasion (ropes, stakes, and flagging) and at the waterline on the upper southeast beach adjacent to the Caspian tern colony; about 20-30 terns were observed digging nest scrapes and sitting in incubating posture in this area; terns in this area are frequently disturbed by bald eagles and peregrine falcons, and the area will likely become inundated during upcoming high high tide events, so tern nests initiated in this area may not to persist
4/27 – 5/3/15 ›
Several hundred California brown pelicans are now roosting on the southeast beach at East Sand Island
4/27 – 5/3/15 ›
Signs of multiple predators observed on East Sand Island; no signs of disturbance or predation by great horned owls at the tern colony this week; frequent bald eagle disturbance to the tern colony continued this week, causing terns to flush from their nests and allowing glaucous-winged/western gulls to depredate tern eggs from unattended nests; fresh river otter tracks seen on the north and south beaches
Weekly Update FOR 4/20 – 4/26/2015
4/25/15 ›
First aerial survey of Columbia River estuary (CRE), Willapa Bay, and Grays Harbor; main objective of flight was to detect the possible formation of new Caspian tern colonies; ca. 400 Caspian terns observed sitting, scraping, and copulating on new dredge deposits at the west end of Rice Island (CRE); ca. 200 Caspian terns seen roosting on the Tongue Point piers (CRE); all other terns observed in the CRE were at multiple roost locations below the high tide line; 100’s of Caspian terns were also observed roosting below the high tide line on Whitcomb Flats, Cate Island, and Sand Island in Grays Harbor; American white pelicans were observed nesting once again on Miller Sands Spit (CRE), with 261 adult pelicans and 144 attended pelican nests counted
4/22/15 ›
First Caspian tern eggs (3) observed on East Sand Island tern colony; all three eggs depredated by glaucous-winged/western gulls during a colony-wide disturbance shortly thereafter
4/20 – 4/26/15 ›
High count for the week of an estimated 5,900 Caspian terns on East Sand Island tern colony; terns nesting on the east-central part of the colony area are more settled and further along in nest chronology compared to terns nesting on the western part of the colony, apparently due to higher disturbance rates in the western part of the colony by a great horned owl; egg-laying by terns increased as the week progressed; however, most tern eggs on colony were subsequently depredated by gulls during evening disturbances to the colony; glaucous-winged/western gulls depredate most of the tern eggs laid on colony during these disturbances; three nesting pairs of glaucous-winged/western gulls have set up breeding territories on the southern edge of the tern colony, preventing terns from nesting in the surrounding area; in addition to the terns nesting on colony, ca. 1,000 Caspian terns were regularly seen loafing on beaches that surround East Sand Island
4/15 – 4/20/15 ›
The ring-billed gull colony is once again forming in an upland area at the northeast tip of East Sand Island; some individuals are on completed nests in incubating posture, suggesting that egg-laying has commenced
4/14 – 4/20/15 ›
Signs of multiple predators observed on East Sand Island; great horned owl continues to cause major disturbance to nesting terns during regular nighttime visits to the colony; evidence of owl predation on adult terns was again found on or near the colony this week; bald eagle disturbance to the tern colony increased this week, causing terns to flush from the colony up to 4-5 times per hour around sunset; fresh river otter tracks seen on the north and south beaches
WEEKLY Update FOR 4/13 – 4/19/2015
4/17/15 ›
Additional silt fencing was erected to further reduce the Caspian tern colony area on East Sand Island down to 1.0 acre
4/17/15 ›
Corps contractors (LKE) began monitoring of Caspian tern nest dissuasion areas at the east and west ends of East Sand Island
4/14/15 ›
Colony monitors moved out to East Sand Island and began continuous monitoring of the Caspian tern breeding colony
4/13 – 4/19/15 ›
Small groups of California brown pelicans are starting to arrive at East Sand Island; up to 50 California brown pelicans seen roosting on the south beach
4/13 – 4/19/15 ›
High count for the week of an estimated 4,900 Caspian terns on East Sand Island tern colony; in addition, ca. 2,500 Caspian terns regularly seen loafing on beaches that surround East Sand Island
4/13 – 4/19/15 ›
Signs of multiple predators observed on East Sand Island; as many as 15 bald eagles observed on the island at one time; great horned owl caused major disturbance to nesting Caspian terns each night from 4/17 to 4/19 and an owl was observed killing and eating an adult tern on colony on 4/18; peregrine falcons and bald eagles caused repeated disturbances to the tern colony during daylight hours all week; fresh river otter tracks seen daily on the north and south beaches
Update FOR 3/16 – 4/12/2015
4/11/15 ›
First California brown pelicans (150) observed on East Sand Island (loafing on south beach)
4/6 – 4/12/15 ›
Conducted colony preparations on the East Sand Island tern colony; field crew erected observation blinds and above-ground tunnels, set up camp, laid out colony grids, spread PIT tags for detection efficiency studies, placed photo monuments for analysis of aerial photography, and deployed tern decoys on core tern colony area; Corps contractor (LKE) tilled and harrowed 1.3 acres of the tern colony area, removed and repaired damaged silt fencing around the tern colony area, placed tern dissuasion (ropes and flagging) outside the 1.3-acre colony area, on both the east end and the west end of East Sand Island, where Caspian terns have prospected for nest sites in previous years
4/6/15 ›
First California brown pelicans sighted in Columbia River estuary by project staff in 2015; four seen in the water off the southeast tip of East Sand Island; no pelicans were seen on East Sand Island
4/4/15 ›
First Caspian terns (98) observed on East Sand Island tern colony
3/28/15 ›
First Caspian terns (15) observed on East Sand Island (loafing on east beach)
3/21/15 ›
First Caspian tern sighted in Columbia River estuary by project staff in 2015; one tern seen flying over East Sand Island
3/16 – 4/12/15 ›
Signs of multiple predators observed on East Sand Island; as many as 15 bald eagles observed on the island at one time; great horned owl flushed from a tree on the north beach on 3/26 and a fresh owl pellet was found near an observation blind at the edge of the tern colony on 4/6; avian predator, likely a bald eagle, killed a Caspian tern on north edge of the tern colony on 4/7; fresh river otter tracks seen daily on the northeast beach
3/16/15 ›
Seasonal field crew began work in Columbia River estuary; first visit to East Sand Island to assess the condition of the Caspian tern nesting area; shoreline erosion on the south side of tern colony has resulted in loss of silt fencing; vegetation has grown in between existing silt fence rows, rendering those areas unsuitable for tern nesting; European beach grass has encroached into the core tern colony area reducing the available nesting habitat below what was available in 2014 (1.55 acres); strong winter storms have caused significant wind transport of nesting substrate (sand) from the east end to the west end of the tern colony; no terns present on island; thousands of glaucous-winged/western gulls were establishing nesting territories near the tern colony and elsewhere on the island
