Weekly Update for 9/5 – 9/11/2011
9/5 – 9/11/11 ›This completes our weekly reporting of field research activities in interior Oregon and California for 2011
9/5 – 9/11/11 ›
High counts for the week of 282 Caspian terns (with chicks), 227 roosting American white pelicans, 96 nesting gulls (with chicks), and 1 roosting double-crested cormorant on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; declines in the number of tern nests in previous weeks were primarily attributed to predation by California gulls on young Caspian tern chicks
9/5 – 9/11/11 ›
High counts for the week of 70 Caspian terns, 120 roosting ring-billed gulls, and 9 roosting California gulls on Tule Lake Sump 1B tern island, Tule Lake NWR; no tern chicks remain after I chick fledged this past week; declines in tern nests in previous weeks were primarily attributed to nocturnal visits to the tern colony by a great horned owl
9/5 – 9/11/11 ›
High counts for the week of 42 Caspian terns (with chicks), 38 nesting gulls (with chicks), and 1 roosting Forster’s tern on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, OR
Weekly Update for 8/29 - 9/04/2011
8/29 – 9/04/11 ›
High counts for the week of 254 nesting Caspian terns (with fledglings), 176 roosting American white pelicans, 134 nesting gulls (with fledglings), and 6 roosting double-crested cormorants on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; declines in the number of tern nests in previous weeks were primarily attributed to predation by California gulls on young Caspian tern chicks
8/29 – 9/04/11 ›
High counts for the week of 151 nesting Caspian terns (with chicks), 101 roosting ring-billed gulls, and 6 roosting California gulls on Tule Lake Sump 1B tern island, Tule Lake NWR; only 2 tern chicks remain after 2 additional chicks disappeared this week, likely due to depredation by a great horned owl; declines in tern nests in previous weeks were primarily attributed to nocturnal visits to the tern colony by a great horned owl
8/29 – 9/04/11 ›
High counts for the week of 75 nesting gulls (with fledglings), 78 nesting Caspian terns (with eggs and chicks), 9 roosting Forster’s terns, 3 roosting American white pelicans, and 3 roosting double-crested cormorants on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, OR
9/2/11 ›
John B. Adair, nature photographer, visited Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, OR
9/1/11 ›
High counts for the week of 7 roosting gulls, 3 roosting double-crested cormorants, and 1 roosting great egret on Pelican Lake island near Adel, OR; all nesting American white pelicans appear to have failed at this colony
8/31/11 ›
First Caspian tern fledgling observed at Tule Lake Sump 1B tern island, Tule Lake NWR
8/31/11 ›
Surveys for piscivorous waterbirds conducted at Priddy Reservoir, Hart Lake, Mugwump Lake, and Flagstaff Lake; 1 gull on Priddy Reservoir; 60 gulls on Hart Lake; 80 gulls on Mugwump Lake; 3 great egrets on Flagstaff lake
8/29/11 ›
Last visit to the Dutchy Lake tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area in 2011; only nesting birds observed on the island in 2011 have been killdeer; social attraction decoys, sound systems, and solar panels were removed from the island
8/29/11 ›
Last visit to the East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area in 2011; all Caspian tern nesting attempts failed at East Link tern island in 2011; social attraction decoys, sound systems, and solar panels were removed from the island;remains of 4 terns, 3 ring-billed gulls, and 3 California gulls depredated by a great horned owl were found on the island
Weekly Update for 8/22 - 8/28/2011
8/22 – 8/28/11 ›
High counts for the week of 292 nesting gulls (with fledglings), 300 nesting Caspian terns (with fledglings), 96 roosting American white pelicans, and 31 roosting double-crested cormorants on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; declines in the number of tern nests in previous weeks were primarily attributed to predation by California gulls on young Caspian tern chicks
8/22 – 8/28/11 ›
High counts for the week of 109 nesting Caspian terns (with eggs and chicks), 56 roosting ring-billed gulls, and 6 roosting California gulls on Tule Lake Sump 1B tern island, Tule Lake NWR; declines in tern nests in previous weeks were primarily attributed to nocturnal visits to the tern colony by a great horned owl
8/22 – 8/28/11 ›
High counts for the week of 304 nesting gulls (with fledglings), 131 nesting Caspian terns (18 attended nests most with chicks), 22 roosting Forster’s terns, 14 roosting American white pelicans, and 5 roosting double-crested cormorants on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, OR
8/22 – 8/28/11 ›
One great blue heron observed on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; the most recent nesting attempt by Caspian terns failed on or before 26 June, presumably due to nest depredation by gulls; failure of gull nesting attempts attributed to nocturnal visits to the island by a great horned owl
8/22 – 8/28/11 ›
High counts for the week of 6 roosting double-crested cormorants and 1 roosting Caspian tern on Dutchy Lake tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; only nesting birds observed on the island so far this season have been killdeer
8/22 – 8/28/11 ›
Surveys for piscivorous waterbirds conducted at Priddy Reservoir, Hart Lake, Anderson Lake, Mugwump Lake, Flagstaff Lake, Campbell Lake, and Greaser Reservoir; 1 Caspian tern on Priddy Reservoir; 29 gulls on Hart Lake; 2 gulls and 1 great egret on Anderson Lake; 2 Forster’s terns on Mugwump Lake; 1 Forster’s tern on Flagstaff lake; 1 gull on Campbell Lake; 12 American white pelicans, 8 gulls, 4 double-crested cormorants, and 1 great egret on Greaser Reservoir
8/22 – 8/28/11 ›
High counts for the week of 8 roosting gulls, 3 roosting great egrets, and 1 roosting double-crested cormorant on Pelican Lake island near Adel, OR; all nesting American white pelicans appear to have failed at this colony
8/22 – 8/28/11 ›
Survey for piscivorous waterbirds conducted at Summer Lake Wildlife Area; 87 American white pelicans, 35 gulls, 14 double-crested cormorants, 4 great egrets, and 4 great blue herons observed
8/26/11 ›
Dave Hewitt with the USGS, Western Fisheries Research Center, Klamath Falls Field Station visited Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR
8/24/11 ›
First Caspian tern fledgling observed at Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, OR
Weekly Update for 8/15 - 8/21/2011
8/15 – 8/21/11 ›
High counts for the week of at least 279 nesting gulls (most with fledglings), 282 nesting Caspian terns (21 attended nests with chicks), 82 roosting American white pelicans, and 44 roosting double-crested cormorants on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; numbers of active Caspian tern nests remained stable this week; declines in the number of tern nests in previous weeks were primarily attributed to predation by California gulls on young Caspian tern chicks
8/15 – 8/21/11 ›
High counts for the week of 133 nesting Caspian terns (8 attended nests with eggs and chicks), 68 roosting ring-billed gulls, 4 roosting California gull, and 1 roosting double-crested cormorant on Tule Lake Sump 1B tern island, Tule Lake NWR; numbers of active Caspian tern nests with chicks declined this week; declines in tern nests in previous weeks were primarily attributed to nocturnal visits to the tern colony by a great horned owl
8/15 – 8/21/11 ›
High counts for the week of 443 nesting gulls (with fledglings), 177 nesting Caspian terns (18 attended nests most with chicks), 22 roosting double-crested cormorants, 20 roosting Forster’s terns, and 2 roosting American white pelicans on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, OR
8/15 – 8/21/11 ›
No piscivorous waterbirds observed on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; the most recent nesting attempt by Caspian terns failed on or before 26 June, presumably due to nest depredation by gulls; failure of gull nesting attempts attributed to nocturnal visits to the island by a great horned owl
8/15 – 8/21/11 ›
High counts for the week of 2 roosting American white pelicans, 2 roosting gulls, 1 roosting Caspian tern, 1 roosting double-crested cormorant, and 1 roosting great blue heron on Dutchy Lake tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; only nesting birds observed on the island so far this season have been killdeer
8/15 – 8/21/11 ›
Surveys for piscivorous waterbirds conducted at Hart Lake, Anderson Lake, Mugwump Lake, Flagstaff Lake, and Campbell Lake; 116 gulls on Hart Lake; 3 American white pelicans, 1 great egret, and 1 gull on Anderson Lake; 4 great egrets and 2 Forster’s terns on Mugwump Lake; 4 Forster’s terns on Flagstaff lake; 2 Forster’s terns on Campbell Lake
8/15 – 8/21/11 ›
High counts for the week of 18 nesting great egrets (most with chicks) and 11 double-crested cormorants on Pelican Lake island near Adel, OR; all nesting American white pelicans appear to have failed at this colony
8/15 – 8/21/11 ›
Surveys for piscivorous waterbirds conducted at Summer Lake Wildlife Area and Abert Lake; 6 great egrets, 5 American white pelicans, 4 gulls, 4 great blue herons, and 2 Forster’s terns at Summer Lake Wildlife Area; ca. 4,600 gulls on Abert Lake; 14 great egrets and 5 double-crested cormorants observed at the Chewaucan River impoundment next to Abert Lake
8/21/11 ›
6 Caspian tern chicks captured and banded at Tule Lake Sump 1B tern island, Tule Lake NWR
8/20/11 ›
19 Caspian tern chicks captured and banded at Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; thanks to John Beckstrand and Dave Mauser (USFWS) with the USFWS, Klamath Basin NWR Complex for use of their boat to conduct this work
8/16/11 ›
First double-crested cormorant (sub-adult) observed roosting in cormorant social attraction plot on Tule Lake Sump 1B tern island, Tule Lake NWR
Weekly Update for 8/8 – 8/14/2011
8/8 – 8/14/11 ›
High counts for the week of at least 344 nesting gulls (most with fledglings), 314 nesting Caspian terns (21 attended nests with chicks), at least 150 roosting double-crested cormorants, and 18 roosting American white pelicans on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; numbers of active Caspian tern nests stabilized this week; declines in the number of tern nests in previous weeks were primarily attributed to predation by California gulls on young Caspian tern chicks
8/8 – 8/14/11 ›
High counts for the week of 140 nesting Caspian terns (11 attended nests with eggs and chicks), 63 roosting ring-billed gulls, and 1 roosting California gull on Tule Lake Sump 1B tern island, Tule Lake NWR; numbers of active Caspian tern nests stabilized this week; declines in tern nests in previous weeks were primarily attributed to nocturnal visits to the tern colony by a great horned owl
8/8 – 8/14/11 ›
High counts for the week of 421 nesting gulls (most with fledglings), 158 nesting Caspian terns (19 attended nests with eggs or chicks), 34 roosting double-crested cormorants, 1 roosting Forster’s tern, and 1 roosting snowy egret on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, OR
8/8 – 8/14/11 ›
High counts for the week of 48 roosting killdeer, 3 roosting Caspian terns, and 1 roosting Forster’s tern on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; the most recent nesting attempt by Caspian terns failed on or before 26 June, presumably due to nest depredation by gulls; failure of gull nesting attempts attributed to nocturnal visits to the island by a great horned owl
8/8 – 8/14/11 ›
High counts for the week of 45 roosting killdeer, 9 roosting double-crested cormorants, and 6 roosting American white pelicans on Dutchy Lake tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; only nesting birds observed on the island so far this season have been killdeer
8/8 – 8/14/11 ›
Surveys for piscivorous waterbirds conducted at Mugwump Lake, Anderson Lake, Hart Lake, Drews Reservoir, Goose Lake, Dog Lake, and Greaser Reservoir; 1 great egret on Mugwump Lake; 1 gull on Anderson Lake; 140 gulls on Hart Lake; 64 gulls, 23 American white pelicans, 18 great egrets, 5 Caspian terns, 1 great blue heron, and 1 Forster’s tern on Drews Reservoir; 1 gull on Goose Lake; 20 American white pelicans on Dog Lake; 12 American white pelicans and 1 gull on Greaser Reservoir
8/8 – 8/14/11 ›
High counts for the week of 14 nesting great egrets (most with chicks), 6 double-crested cormorants, 3 roosting American white pelicans, and 3 juvenile great blue herons on Pelican Lake island near Adel, OR; all nesting American white pelicans appear to have failed at this colony
8/8 – 8/14/11 ›
Surveys for piscivorous waterbirds conducted at Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Thompson Reservoir, and Abert Lake; 112 American white pelicans, 100 gulls, 45 great egrets, 43 double-crested cormorants, 13 Caspian terns, 8 Forster’s terns, 7 great blue herons, and 2 black-crowned night-herons at Summer Lake Wildlife Area; 6 double-crested cormorants, 3 Forster’s terns, 3 gulls, 1 American white pelican and 1 Caspian tern on Thompson Reservoir; ca. 6,600 gulls on Abert Lake; 5 double-crested cormorants (5 attended nests) and 15 great egrets (9 attended nests) observed at the Chewaucan River impoundment next to Abert Lake
8/12/11 ›
First Caspian tern fledgling observed at Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR
Weekly Update for 8/1 – 8/7/2011
8/1 – 8/7/11 ›
High counts for the week of at least 1,385 nesting gulls (most with fledglings), 255 nesting Caspian terns (25 attended nests with eggs or chicks), 150 roosting double-crested cormorants, and 22 roosting American white pelican on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; active Caspian tern nests continued to decline this week, and by week’s end only 23 Caspian tern nests were active; predation by gulls, mostly California gulls, on young Caspian tern chicks appears to be the primary cause of tern nest failure
8/1 – 8/7/11 ›
High counts for the week of 134 nesting Caspian terns (11 attended nests with eggs and chicks), 45 roosting ring-billed gulls, and 2 roosting California gulls on Tule Lake Sump 1B tern island, Tule Lake NWR; active Caspian tern nests continued to decline during the week to 10 active nests by week’s end; Caspian tern nest failures attributed to nocturnal visits to the tern colony by a great horned owl
8/1 – 8/7/11 ›
High counts for the week of 580 nesting ring-billed gulls (most with chicks), 178 nesting Caspian terns (21 attended nests with eggs or chicks), 4 roosting American white pelicans, 2 roosting Forster’s terns, and 2 nesting California gulls on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, OR
8/1 – 8/7/11 ›
High counts for the week of 24 roosting Caspian terns, 2 roosting ring-billed gulls, and 2 roosting California gulls (1 fledgling) on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; the most recent nesting attempt by Caspian terns failed on or before 26 June, presumably due to nest depredation by gulls; failures of gull nests attributed to nocturnal visits to the island by a great horned owl
8/1 – 8/7/11 ›
High counts for the week of 72 roosting American white pelicans, 1 roosting double-crested cormorant, and 1 roosting Caspian tern on Dutchy Lake tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; only nesting birds observed on the island so far this season have been killdeer
8/1 – 8/7/11 ›
Surveys for piscivorous waterbirds conducted at Anderson Lake, Flagstaff Lake, Campbell Lake, Hart Lake, Drews Reservoir, Goose Lake, Dog Lake, and Greaser Reservoir; 2 great egrets and 2 gulls on Anderson Lake; 1 Forster’s tern on Flagstaff Lake; 1 American white pelican on Campbell Lake; 180 gulls (with fledglings), 2 American white pelicans, and 1 Forster’s tern on Hart Lake; 108 gulls, 10 great egrets (1 attended nest), 6 Caspian terns, and 5 American white pelicans on Drews Reservoir; 86 gulls, 3 Caspian terns, 1 American white pelican, and 1 great egret on Goose Lake; 13 American white pelicans, 4 double-crested cormorants, 1 great blue heron, and 1 gull on Dog Lake; 2 Forster’s terns, 2 gulls, and 1 black-crowned night-heron on Greaser Reservoir
8/1 – 8/7/11 ›
High counts for the week of 14 nesting great egrets (most with chicks), 14 nesting double-crested cormorants (5 attended nest), 5 roosting American white pelicans, 4 nesting California gulls (most with chicks), 1 nesting great blue heron (with chicks), and 1 roosting Caspian tern on Pelican Lake island near Adel, OR; all nesting American white pelicans appear to have failed at this colony
8/1 – 8/7/11 ›
Surveys for piscivorous waterbirds conducted at Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Thompson Reservoir, and Abert Lake; 111 gulls, 70 American white pelicans, 36 great egrets, 31 double-crested cormorants, 9 Caspian terns, 8 Forster’s terns, 6 great blue herons, and 2 black-crowned night-herons at Summer Lake Wildlife Area; 20 double-crested cormorants, 19 Forster’s terns, 9 gulls, and 2 great blue herons on Thompson Reservoir; ca. 4,600 gulls on Abert Lake; 10 double-crested cormorants and 8 great egrets (6 attended nests) observed at the Chewaucan River impoundment next to Abert Lake
8/6/11 ›
Caspian tern decoys and audio playback systems removed from Orems Unit tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; Orems Unit tern island abandoned by nesting gulls and terns in early July, presumably due to disturbance and depredation by great horned owls
8/4/11 ›
34 double-crested cormorant chick decoys placed in cormorant social attraction plot on Tule Lake Sump 1B tern island, Tule Lake NWR
8/4/11 ›
Captured one Caspian tern tagged with GPS data logger at a roosting location at Tule Lake NWR; successfully downloaded data from tag; thanks to Chad Bell with the USFWS for his assistance with the recapture effort; these tags provided data on off-colony movements and habitat use by terns
Weekly Update for 7/25 - 7/31/2011
7/25 – 7/31/11 ›
High counts for the week of at least 2,000 nesting gulls (most with fledglings), 241 nesting Caspian terns (41 attended nests with eggs or chicks), 212 roosting double-crested cormorants, and 21 roosting American white pelican on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; active Caspian tern nests continued to decline this week, and by week’s end only 25 Caspian tern nests were active; predation by gulls, mostly California gulls, on young Caspian tern chicks appears to be the primary cause of tern nest failure
7/25 – 7/31/11 ›
High counts for the week of 81 nesting Caspian terns (24 attended nests with eggs and chicks), 12 roosting ring-billed gulls, and 1 nesting American avocet (1 attended nest) on Tule Lake Sump 1B tern island, Tule Lake NWR; active Caspian tern nests continued to decline during the week to 11 active nests by week’s end; Caspian tern nest failures attributed to nocturnal visits to the tern colony by a great horned owl during 7/28-7/31
7/25 – 7/31/11 ›
Successfully downloaded data from 2 of 10 Caspian terns tagged with GPS data loggers at Sheepy Lake tern Island in Lower Klamath NWR; these tags provided data on off-colony movements and habitat use by terns
7/25 – 7/31/11 ›
Successfully downloaded data from 3 of 10 Caspian terns tagged with GPS data loggers at the Tule Lake Sump 1B tern island, Tule Lake NWR; these tags provided data on off-colony movements and habitat use by terns
7/25 – 7/31/11 ›
High counts for the week of 507 nesting ring-billed gulls (most with chicks), 60 nesting California gulls (most with chicks), 153 nesting Caspian terns (23 attended nests with eggs or chicks), 2 roosting Forster’s terns, and 2 roosting American white pelicans on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, OR; one new Caspian tern nest was initiated; two California gulls and 1 ring-billed gull that were repeatedly observed depredating Caspian tern nests at Crump Lake tern island were shot (under permit) at the colony
7/25 – 7/31/11 ›
High counts for the week of 141 nesting ring-billed gulls (0 attended nests), 20 California gulls (0 attended nests), 19 roosting double-crested cormorants, and 3 roosting Caspian terns on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; the most recent nesting attempt by Caspian terns failed on or before 26 June, presumably due to nest depredation by gulls; failures of gull nests attributed to nocturnal visits to the island by a great horned owl
7/25 – 7/31/11 ›
High counts for the week of 13 roosting double-crested cormorants, 5 roosting American white pelicans, 2 roosting Caspian terns, and 1 roosting great blue heron on Dutchy Lake tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; only nesting birds observed on the island so far this season have been killdeer
7/27 – 7/31/11 ›
Surveys for piscivorous waterbirds conducted at Drews Reservoir, Goose Lake, Dog Lake, Greaser Reservoir, Hart Lake, Mugwump Lake, Anderson Lake, Swamp Lake, Flagstaff Lake, and Priddy Reservoir; 88 gulls, 10 American white pelicans, 6 Forster’s terns, 4 great egrets (1 attended nest), 4 great blue herons, and 1 Caspian tern observed on Drews Reservoir; 43 gulls, 32 American white pelicans, 4 great egrets, 1 great blue heron, and 1 Forster’s tern observed on Goose Lake; 13 American white pelicans and 1 double-crested cormorant observed on Dog Lake; 2 Forster’s terns and 1 double-crested cormorant observed on Greaser Reservoir; 82 gulls (with fledglings), 1 Caspian tern, 1 common tern, and 1 double-crested cormorant on Hart Lake; 2 American white pelicans on Mugwamp Lake; 5 American white pelicans, 2 Forster’s terns, and 1 gull on Anderson Lake; 2 Forster’s terns on Swamp Lake; 23 gulls and 3 Forster’s terns on Flagstaff Lake; no piscivorous waterbirds observed on Priddy Reservoir
7/29/11 ›
High counts for the week of 26 nesting California gulls (most with chicks), 14 nesting great egrets (most with chicks), 18 nesting double-crested cormorants (1 attended nest), 5 roosting American white pelicans, and 3 nesting great blue herons (with chicks) on Pelican Lake island near Adel, OR; all nesting American white pelicans appear to have failed at this colony
7/27/11 ›
Survey for piscivorous waterbirds conducted at Summer Lake Wildlife Area; 50 American white pelicans, 44 gulls, 13 Forster’s terns, 8 great egrets,4 double-crested cormorants, 3 black-crowned night-herons, 3 Caspian terns, and 2 great blue herons observed at Summer Lake Wildlife Area
Weekly Update for 7/18 - 7/24/2011
7/18 – 7/24/11 ›
High counts for the week of 275 nesting ring-billed gulls (most with fledglings), 175 nesting California gulls (most with fledglings), 199 nesting Caspian terns (132 attended nests with eggs or chicks), 210 roosting double-crested cormorants, and 11 roosting American white pelican on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; active Caspian tern nests declined by 65% during the week, and by week’s end only 46 Caspian tern nests were active; predation by gulls, mostly California gulls, on young Caspian tern chicks appears to be the primary cause of tern nest failure;10 California gulls that were repeatedly observed depredating tern nests were shot (under permit) at the colony
7/18 – 7/24/11 ›
High counts for the week of 84 nesting Caspian terns (34 attended nests with eggs), 4 nesting American avocets (4 attended nests), and 1 roosting ring-billed gull on Tule Lake Sump 1B tern island, Tule Lake NWR; active Caspian tern nests declined during the week to 23 active nests by week’s end; Caspian tern nest failures attributed to nocturnal visits to the tern colony by a great horned owl during 7/19-21
7/18 – 7/24/11 ›
Successfully downloaded data from 4 of 10 Caspian terns tagged with GPS data loggers at Sheepy Lake tern Island in Lower Klamath NWR; these tags provided data on off-colony movements and habitat use by terns
7/18 – 7/24/11 ›
Successfully downloaded data from 7 of 10 Caspian terns tagged with GPS data loggers at the Tule Lake Sump 1B tern island, Tule Lake NWR; these tags provided data on off-colony movements and habitat use by terns
7/18 – 7/24/11 ›
High counts for the week of 1,968 nesting ring-billed gulls (most with chicks), 519 nesting California gulls (most with chicks), 198 nesting Caspian terns (22 attended nests with eggs or chicks), 8 roosting double-crested cormorants, and 7 roosting American white pelican on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, OR; numbers of active Caspian tern nests declined from the previous week, when 29 active nests were counted; no new Caspian tern nests were initiated; one California gull that was repeatedly observed depredating Caspian tern nests at Crump Lake tern island was shot (under permit) at the colony
7/18 – 7/24/11 ›
High counts for the week of 342 nesting ring-billed gulls (50 attended nests with eggs or chicks), 49 California gulls (0 attended nests), and 15 roosting Caspian terns on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; the most recent nesting attempt by Caspian terns failed on or before 26 June, presumably due to nest depredation by gulls
7/18 – 7/24/11 ›
High counts for the week of 69 nesting California gulls (most with chicks), 18 nesting great egrets (most with chicks), 11 nesting double-crested cormorants (most with chicks), and 1 nesting great blue herons (with chicks) on Pelican Lake island near Adel, OR; all nesting American white pelicans appear to have failed at this colony
7/21/11 ›
Surveys for piscivorous waterbirds conducted at Priddy Reservoir and Greaser Reservoir; 1 Caspian tern observed on Priddy Reservoir; 1 Forster’s tern, and 1 double-crested cormorant observed on Greaser Reservoir
Weekly Update for 7/11 - 7/17/2011
7/11 – 7/17/11 ›
High counts for the week of 1,215 nesting ring-billed gulls (most with fledglings), 398 nesting California gulls (most with fledglings), 234 nesting Caspian terns (175 attended nests with eggs or chicks), 192 roosting double-crested cormorants, and 4 roosting American white pelican on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR
7/11 – 7/17/11 ›
Gull nest predation on Caspian tern eggs and chicks at the Sheepy Lake tern island in Lower Klamath NWR increased dramatically this past week; 24 California gulls and 1 ring-billed gull that were repeatedly observed depredating tern nests were shot (under permit) at the colony
7/11 – 7/17/11 ›
High counts for the week of 105 nesting Caspian terns (34 attended nests with eggs), 14 nesting American avocets (14 attended nests), and 1 roosting ring-billed gull on Tule Lake Sump 1B tern island, Tule Lake NWR
7/11 – 7/17/11 ›
High counts for the week of 1,592 nesting ring-billed gulls (most with chicks), 495 nesting California gulls (most with chicks), 111 nesting Caspian terns (29 attended nests with eggs or chicks), 7 roosting double-crested cormorants, 3 roosting Forster’s terns, and 2 roosting American white pelican on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, OR
7/11 – 7/17/11 ›
Two California gulls that were repeatedly observed depredating Caspian tern nests at Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, OR were shot (under permit)
7/11 – 7/17/11 ›
High counts for the week of 451 nesting ring-billed gulls (132 attended nests), 112 California gulls (1 attended nest), and 15 roosting Caspian terns on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; the most recent nesting attempt by Caspian terns failed on or before 26 June, presumably due to nest depredation by gulls; some nesting behavior by Caspian terns on East Link island still evident, but successful nesting this season now seems unlikely
7/11 – 7/17/11 ›
Predator activity observed at East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; 1 Caspian tern carcass observed, presumably killed by a great horned owl
7/11 – 7/17/11 ›
High counts for the week of 11 roosting double-crested cormorants and 2 roosting Caspian terns on Dutchy Lake tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; only nesting birds observed on island so far this season have been killdeer
7/11 – 7/17/11 ›
High counts for the week of 44 nesting California gulls (most with chicks), 7 nesting great egrets (most with chicks), 6 nesting double-crested cormorants (most with chicks), and 4 great blue herons (most with chicks) on Pelican Lake island near Adel, OR; all nesting American white pelicans appear to have failed at this colony
7/15/11 ›
10 adult Caspian terns captured and tagged with remotely downloadable GPS data loggers on the Tule Lake Sump 1B tern island, Tule Lake NWR; GPS tagging data will be used to assess habitat use by nesting terns; Jim Ma and Miguel Jimenez with the USFWS, Klamath Basin NWR Complex assisted with adult tagging at the Tule Lake colony; by the end of the week, nests belonging to all 10 GPS-tagged terns were still active
7/14/11 ›
10 adult Caspian terns captured and tagged with remotely downloadable GPS data loggers on the Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; GPS tagging data will be used to assess habitat use by nesting terns; John Beckstrand and Chad Bell with the USFWS, Klamath Basin NWR Complex assisted with adult tagging at the Sheepy Lake colony; by the end of the week, nests from all but 4 of the GPS-tagged terns had failed due to gull predation on eggs and chicks
7/13/11 ›
First Caspian tern chick observed this year at Tule Lake Sump 1B tern island, Tule Lake NWR
7/13/11 ›
Surveys for piscivorous waterbirds conducted at Anderson Lake, Flagstaff Lake, Priddy Reservoir, Drews Reservoir, Goose Lake, Dog Lake, and Greaser Reservoir; 1 gull observed on Anderson Lake; 5 gulls observed on Flagstaff Lake; 1 Caspian tern observed on Priddy Reservoir; 33 Forster’s terns, 20 gulls, 9 American white pelicans, 8 great egrets, 7 Caspian terns, and 6 double-crested cormorants observed on Drews Reservoir; ca. 100 gulls, 5 American white pelicans, 1 Forster’s tern, and 1 Caspian tern observed on Goose Lake; 49 American white pelicans observed on Dog Lake; no birds observed on Greaser Reservoir
7/11/11 ›
Survey for piscivorous waterbirds conducted at Summer Lake Wildlife Area; 35 gulls, 16 double-crested cormorants, 8 Forster’s terns, 5 American white pelicans, 3 black-crowned night-herons, and 1 Caspian tern observed at Summer Lake Wildlife Area
Weekly Update for 7/4 - 7/10/2011
7/4 – 7/10/11 ›
High counts for the week of 1,290 nesting ring-billed gulls (most with chicks), 662 nesting California gulls (most with chicks), 289 nesting Caspian terns (171 attended nests with eggs or chicks), 197 roosting double-crested cormorants, and 1 roosting American white pelican on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; average colony attendance and attended nests by Caspian terns declined slightly this week compared to the previous week
7/4 – 7/10/11 ›
High counts for the week of 110 nesting Caspian terns (33 attended nests with eggs), 15 nesting American avocets (15 attended nests), 2 roosting ring-billed gulls, and 1 roosting double-crested cormorant on Tule Lake Sump 1B tern island, Tule Lake NWR; number of attended Caspian tern nests increased for the fourth consecutive week
7/4 – 7/10/11 ›
Orems Unit tern island in Lower Klamath NWR abandoned by nesting gulls and terns, presumably due to disturbance and depredation by great horned owls; dropping water levels have left most of the Orems Unit dry, with only a narrow band of deeper water around the tern island
7/4 – 7/10/11 ›
High count for the week of 8 nesting Caspian terns (2 attended nests with eggs) on an island in the east arm of Clear Lake in Clear Lake NWR; number of attended Caspian tern nests decreased for the third consecutive week, the cause of tern nest failure is unknown; double-crested cormorants, great blue herons, gulls, and one pair of American white pelicans also nesting on the island
7/4 – 7/10/11 ›
High counts for the week of 2,241 nesting ring-billed gulls (104 attended nests with chicks), 1,008 nesting California gulls (116 attended nests with chicks), 155 nesting Caspian terns (31 attended nests with eggs or chicks), 14 roosting double-crested cormorants, and 1 roosting American white pelican on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, OR; number of attended Caspian tern nests increased for the fourth consecutive week
7/4 – 7/10/11 ›
High counts for the week of 582 nesting ring-billed gulls (220 attended nests with eggs or chicks), 90 California gulls (6 attended nests with eggs or chicks), 23 roosting Caspian terns, 13 roosting double-crested cormorants, and 1 roosting Forster’s tern on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; the most recent nesting attempt by Caspian terns failed on or before 26 June, presumably due to nest depredation by gulls; some nesting behavior by Caspian terns on East Link island still evident, but successful nesting this season now seems unlikely
7/4 – 7/10/11 ›
High counts for the week of 17 roosting double-crested cormorants, 3 roosting American white pelicans, 3 roosting ring-billed gulls, 1 roosting Caspian tern, and 1 roosting great blue heron on Dutchy Lake tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; only nesting birds observed on island so far this season have been killdeer
7/4 – 7/10/11 ›
High counts for the week of 144 nesting California gulls (with chicks), 15 nesting great egrets (with chicks), 14 nesting double-crested cormorants (with chicks), 7 great blue herons (with chicks), and 3 American white pelicans on Pelican Lake island near Adel, OR
7/4 – 7/10/11 ›
Surveys for piscivorous waterbirds conducted at Flagstaff Lake, Priddy Reservoir, Greaser Reservoir, Drews Reservoir, Goose Lake, Dog Lake, and Big Sage Reservoir; 37 American white pelicans observed on Flagstaff Lake; 5 Caspian terns, 5 American white pelicans, 4 double-crested cormorants, and 3 gulls observed on Priddy Reservoir; 1 Forster’s tern, 1 gull, and 1 great egret observed on Greaser Reservoir; 22 Caspian terns, 21 double-crested cormorants, 15 gulls, 14 Forster’s terns, 12 American white pelicans, and 2 black-crowned night-herons observed on Drews Reservoir; 20 American white pelicans and 6 gulls observed on Goose Lake; 21 American white pelicans and 1 great blue heron observed on Dog Lake; 100 gulls observed on Big Sage Reservoir
7/4 – 7/10/11 ›
Surveys for piscivorous waterbirds conducted at Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Thompson Reservoir, and Abert Lake; 351 gulls, 40 American white pelicans, 13 double-crested cormorants, 12 Forster’s terns, 4 great egrets, 3 black-crowned night-herons, 2 great blue herons, and 2 Caspian terns observed at Summer Lake Wildlife Area; 5 Caspian terns and 2 Forster’s terns observed on Thompson Reservoir; ca. 900 gulls (mostly California gulls) observed on Abert Lake; 15 double-crested cormorants (11 attended nests) and 10 great egrets (10 attended nests) observed at the Chewaucan River impoundment next to Abert Lake
7/9/11 ›
First Caspian tern chick observed this year at Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, OR
7/8/11 ›
Survey conducted of Williamson River delta and Upper Klamath Lake; 50 roosting Caspian terns observed on Williamson River near the delta; other roost sites used in previous years by piscivorous waterbirds in the Williamson River delta were unoccupied due to high water
Weekly Update for 6/27 - 7/3/2011
6/27 – 7/3/11 ›
High counts for the week of 1,411 nesting ring-billed gulls (most with chicks), 508 nesting California gulls (most with chicks), 290 nesting Caspian terns (188 attended nests with eggs or chicks), and 227 roosting double-crested cormorants on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; average colony attendance and attended nests by Caspian terns appears to have plateaued
6/27 – 7/3/11 ›
High counts for the week of 121 nesting Caspian terns (31 attended nests with eggs), 19 nesting American avocets (13 attended nests), and 8 roosting ring-billed gulls on Tule Lake Sump 1B tern island, Tule Lake NWR; number of attended Caspian tern nests increased for the third consecutive week
6/27 – 7/3/11 ›
High counts for the week of 115 nesting ring-billed gulls (ca. 94 attended nests with chicks) and 8 nesting California gulls (5 attended nests with eggs) on Orems Unit tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; the second nesting attempt by Caspian terns failed on 26 June due to nightly visits to the colony by a great horned owl; by the end of the week, all California gull nests and nearly all (90%) ring-billed gull nests failed due to owl disturbance and depredation
6/27 – 7/3/11 ›
High count for the week of 32 nesting Caspian terns (12 attended nests, some with eggs) on an island in the east arm of Clear Lake in Clear Lake NWR where gulls and cormorants are also nesting; by the end of week, only 4 attended tern nests remained on the island, cause of nest failure unknown
6/27 – 7/3/11 ›
High counts for the week of 1,978 nesting ring-billed gulls (149 nests with chicks), 864 nesting California gulls (65 nests with chicks), 135 nesting Caspian terns (27 active nests with eggs), 9 roosting double-crested cormorants, 2 roosting American white pelicans, 1 roosting great egret, 1 roosting great blue heron, and 1 roosting snowy egret on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, OR; number of attended Caspian tern nests increased for the third consecutive week
6/27 – 7/3/11 ›
High counts for the week of 584 nesting ring-billed gulls (350 attended nests with eggs), 55 California gulls (14 attended nests, one with a chick), 15 roosting double-crested cormorants, and 13 roosting Caspian terns on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; the second nesting attempt by Caspian terns failed on or before 26 June presumably due to nest depredation by gulls
6/27 – 7/3/11 ›
High counts for the week of 30 roosting double-crested cormorants, 6 roosting American white pelicans, 3 roosting ring-billed gulls, and 3 roosting Forster’s terns on Dutchy Lake tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; only nesting by killdeer has been observed on island so far this season
6/27 – 7/3/11 ›
High counts for the week of 125 California gulls (50 attended nests with chicks), 16 great egrets (4 attended nests with chicks), 13 double-crested cormorants (3 attended nests with chicks), 13 great blue herons (1 attended nest with chicks), and 1 American white pelican on Pelican Lake island near Adel, OR
6/27 – 7/3/11 ›
Surveys for piscivorous waterbirds conducted at Campbell Lake, Mugwump Lake, Anderson Lake, Hart Lake, Greaser Reservoir, Drews Reservoir, Goose Lake, Dog Lake, and Big Sage Reservoir; 3 American white pelicans observed on Campbell Lake; 3 gulls and 1 great egret observed on Mugwump Lake; 1 gull observed on Anderson Lake; 4 double-crested cormorants and 2 gulls observed on Hart Lake; 3 Forster’s terns, 2 gulls, and 1 great blue heron observed on Greaser Reservoir; 16 American white pelicans, 8 Caspian terns, 8 gulls, 3 great egrets, 2 Forster’s terns, 2 black-crowned night herons, 1 double-crested cormorant, and 1 great blue heron observed on Drews Reservoir; 10 American white pelicans, 8 Forster’s terns, 4 great egrets, and 2 gulls observed on Goose Lake; 15 American white pelicans and 2 double-crested cormorants observed on Dog Lake; 170 gulls observed on Big Sage Reservoir
6/27 – 7/3/11 ›
Surveys for piscivorous waterbirds conducted at Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Thompson Reservoir, and Abert Lake; 35 gulls, 9 Forster’s terns, 5 double-crested cormorants, 4 American white pelicans, 3 black-crowned night-herons, 3 great blue herons, and 2 Caspian terns observed at Summer Lake Wildlife Area; 24 Forster’s terns, 11 Caspian terns, 5 double-crested cormorants, and 2 gulls observed on Thompson Reservoir; ca. 1,000 gulls (mostly California gulls), 45 American white pelicans, and 1 great blue heron observed on Abert Lake; 13 great egrets (12 nests) and 12 double-crested cormorants (9 nests) observed at Chewaucan River impoundment near Abert Lake
6/27 – 7/3/11 ›
Three California gulls that were repeatedly observed depredating nests were shot (under permit) at Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, OR
7/1/11 ›
Ron Larson with the Klamath Field Office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service visited Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR
Weekly Update for 6/20 - 6/26/2011
6/20 – 6/26/11 ›
High counts for the week of 1,664 nesting ring-billed gulls (most with chicks), 635 nesting California gulls (most with chicks), 397 nesting Caspian terns (174 attended nests with eggs), and 316 roosting double-crested cormorants on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; average colony attendance and attended nests by Caspian terns increased for the third consecutive week, presumably due to improvement in weather and influx of failed breeders from other sites (e.g., East Sand Island)
6/20 – 6/26/11 ›
High counts for the week of 117 nesting Caspian terns (20 attended nests with eggs), 17 roosting double-crested cormorants, 5 roosting ring-billed gulls, and 1 nesting American avocet on Tule Lake Sump 1B tern island, Tule Lake NWR; number of attended Caspian tern nests increased for the second consecutive week
6/20 – 6/26/11 ›
High counts for the week of 283 nesting ring-billed gulls (ca. 180 attended nests with chicks), 12 nesting California gulls (3 attended nests with eggs), and 10 nesting Caspian terns (0 attended nests) on Orems Unit tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; the second nesting attempt by Caspian terns failed on 26 June due to nightly visits to the colony by a great horned owl; owl depredation has also caused large numbers of gull nests to fail this week
6/20 - 6/26/11 ›
High counts for the week of 2,116 nesting ring-billed gulls (579 nests with chicks), 555 nesting California gulls (146 nests with chicks), 167 nesting Caspian terns (23 active nests with eggs), 21 roosting double-crested cormorants, 12 roosting American white pelicans, and 1 roosting great egret on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, OR; number of attended Caspian tern nests increased for the second consecutive week
6/20 - 6/26/11 ›
High counts for the week of 989 nesting ring-billed gulls (569 attended nests with eggs), 150 California gulls (18 attended nests, one with a chick), 36 roosting double-crested cormorants, 29 nesting Caspian terns (2 attended nest with eggs), and 3 roosting great egrets on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; the second nesting attempt by Caspian terns failed on or before 26 June presumably due to nest depredation by gulls
6/20 – 6/26/11 ›
High counts for the week of 62 roosting ring-billed gulls, 24 roosting American white pelicans, 19 roosting double-crested cormorants, 2 roosting Caspian terns, and 2 roosting Forster’s terns on Dutchy Lake tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; no nesting behaviors observed on island so far this season
6/20 – 6/26/11 ›
High counts for the week of 112 California gulls (98 attended nests with chicks), 17 great blue herons (6 attended nests with chicks), 14 great egrets (7 attended nests with chicks), 12 double-crested cormorants (4 attended nests with chicks), and 10 American white pelicans (1 attended nest) on Pelican Lake island near Adel, OR
6/20 – 6/26/11 ›
Surveys for piscivorous waterbirds conducted at Hart Lake, Campbell Lake, Greaser Reservoir, Priddy Reservoir, Drews Reservoir, Goose Lake, and Dog Lake; 4 gulls observed on Campbell Lake; 2 double-crested cormorants observed on Priddy Reservoir; 37 American white pelicans, 16 double-crested cormorants, 12 Forster’s terns, 8 Caspian terns, 4 gulls, 3 great egrets, and 1 great blue heron observed on Drews Reservoir; 6 Forster’s terns and 1 great egret observed on Goose Lake; 5 American white pelicans, 1 double-crested cormorant, 1 great blue heron, and 1 gull observed on Dog Lake
6/20 – 6/26/11 ›
Surveys for piscivorous waterbirds conducted at Summer Lake Wildlife Area and Thompson Reservoir; 55 American white pelicans, 32 gulls, 19 double-crested cormorants, 5 Caspian terns, 4 black-crowned night-herons, 3 Forster’s terns, 3 great egrets, and 3 great blue herons observed at Summer Lake Wildlife Area; 2 Caspian terns and 1 double-crested cormorant observed on Thompson Reservoir
6/20 – 6/26/11 ›
Two California gulls that were repeatedly observed depredating nests were shot (under permit) at Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, OR
6/26/11 ›
First Caspian tern chick observed at Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR
6/24/11 ›
Survey of Clear Lake in Upper Klamath Basin; 43 Caspian terns (11 attended nests, at least 3 with eggs) on an island in the east arm of the lake; double-crested cormorants, great blue herons, gulls, and one pair of white pelicans also nesting on the island
Weekly Update for 6/13 - 6/19/2011
6/13 – 6/19/11 ›
High counts for the week of 2,374 nesting ring-billed gulls (most with chicks), 930 nesting California gulls (most with chicks), 356 nesting Caspian terns (27 attended nests, most with eggs), and 137 roosting double-crested cormorants on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; average colony attendance by terns increased for the second consecutive week, presumably due to improvement in weather and influx of failed breeders from other sites (e.g., East Sand Island)
6/13 – 6/19/11 ›
High counts for the week of 81 nesting Caspian terns (7 attended nests with eggs), 6 roosting ring-billed gulls, and 5 roosting California gulls on Tule Lake Sump 1B tern island, Tule Lake NWR; Caspian terns reinitiated egg-laying at the colony this week; all earlier nesting attempts by Caspian terns failed on or before 5 June
6/13 – 6/19/11 ›
High counts for the week of 619 nesting ring-billed gulls (ca. 200 attended nests with chicks), 81 nesting California gulls (5 attended nests with eggs), and 106 nesting Caspian terns (1 attended nest with eggs) on Orems Unit tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; Caspian terns reinitiated egg-laying at the colony this week; all earlier nesting attempts by Caspian terns failed on or before 5 June
6/13 - 6/19/11 ›
High counts for the week of 1,856 nesting ring-billed gulls (785 nests with chicks), 706 nesting California gulls (263 nests with chicks), 100 nesting Caspian terns (10 active nests, one with eggs), 7 roosting American white pelicans, and 2 roosting double-crested cormorants on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, OR
6/13 - 6/19/11 ›
High counts for the week of 1,136 nesting ring-billed gulls (436 attended nests, some with chicks), 108 California gulls (27 attended nests, some with chicks), and 24 nesting Caspian terns (1 attended nest with eggs) on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; Caspian terns reinitiated egg-laying at the colony this week, all earlier nesting attempts by Caspian terns failed on or before 5 June
6/13 – 6/19/11 ›
High counts for the week of 24 roosting double-crested cormorants, 11 roosting American white pelicans, 8 roosting Caspian terns, and 2 roosting gulls on Dutchy Lake tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; no nesting behaviors observed on island
6/13 – 6/19/11 ›
High counts for the week of 77 California gulls (63 attended nests with chicks), 49 American white pelicans (5 attended nests), 21 great egrets (8 attended nests), 15 great blue herons (15 attended nests with chicks), and 8 double-crested cormorants (5 attended nests with chicks) on Pelican Lake island near Adel, OR
6/13 – 6/19/11 ›
Surveys for piscivorous waterbirds conducted at Hart Lake, Flagstaff Lake, Upper Campbell Lake, Campbell Lake, Greaser Reservoir, Priddy Reservoir, Drews Reservoir, Goose Lake, and Dog Lake; 1 great egret, 1 American white pelican, and 1 gull observed on Hart Lake; 2 gulls and 1 Forster’s tern observed on Flagstaff Lake; 4 gulls and 1 great egret observed on Upper Campbell Lake; 1,250 gulls observed on Campbell Lake; 8 gulls, 3 great egrets, 2 great blue herons, and 1 double-crested cormorant observed at Greaser Reservoir; 5 American white pelicans observed on Priddy Reservoir; 36 Caspian terns, 17 American white pelicans, 6 Forster’s terns, 4 double-crested cormorants, and 4 gulls observed on Drews Reservoir; 12 gulls, 11 Forster’s terns, 5 Caspian terns, 1 great egret, 1 great blue heron, and 1 double-crested cormorant observed on Goose Lake; 11 American white pelicans and 1 Caspian tern observed on Dog Lake
6/13 – 6/19/11 ›
Surveys for piscivorous waterbirds conducted at Summer Lake Wildlife Area and Thompson Reservoir; 19 gulls, 18 Forster’s terns, 16 American white pelicans, 6 Caspian terns, 6 great egrets, 3 black-crowned night-herons, 3 double-crested cormorants, and 2 great blue herons observed at Summer Lake Wildlife Area; 3 Caspian terns, 2 Forster’s terns, 2 great blue herons, and 1 double-crested cormorant observed on Thompson Reservoir
6/16/11 ›
Survey of Clear Lake in the Upper Klamath Basin; 28 Caspian terns in an upland area on an island in the west arm of the lake; pre-laying behaviors observed but egg-laying by Caspian terns has not been confirmed
6/16/11 ›
Two coyotes observed wading in the water surrounding the Orems Unit tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; coyotes were within 200 meters of the island, but did not swim across the deeper water to reach the island; birds that were on the islands were not disturbed by the coyotes’ presence in the area
6/15/11 ›
Aerial survey of Upper Klamath, Lower Klamath, Tule Lake, and Clear Lake National Wildlife Refuges, Meiss Lake, Gerber Reservoir, and other small lakes in the region; checked sites of piscivorous waterbird colonies active in previous years to determine occupancy; ca. 200 nesting great egrets, ca. 130 nesting double-crested cormorants, and 10 nesting American white pelicans observed at Upper Klamath NWR; ca. 2,000 nesting gulls and 8 nesting double-crested cormorants observed at Swan Lake; large gull colony and 20 nesting double-crested cormorants observed at Meiss Lake; ca. 30 nesting Caspian terns observed at Clear Lake
6/14/11 ›
First Caspian tern egg observed at Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, OR
Weekly Update for 6/6 - 6/12/2011
6/6 – 6/12/11 ›
High counts for the week of 2,255 nesting ring-billed gulls (most with chicks), 684 nesting California gulls (most with chicks), 361 nesting Caspian terns (7 attended nests with eggs), 123 roosting double-crested cormorants, and 2 roosting American white pelicans on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; average colony attendance by terns increased 4-fold this week compared to last week, presumably due to an improvement in the weather and an influx of failed breeders from other sites (e.g., East Sand Island)
6/6 – 6/12/11 ›
Six California gulls that were repeatedly observed depredating nests were shot (under permit) at Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR
6/6 – 6/12/11 ›
High counts for the week of 56 Caspian terns, 19 ring-billed gulls, 14 double-crested cormorants, and 2 California gulls on Tule Lake Sump 1B tern island, Tule Lake NWR; terns have initiated egg-laying but all early nesting attempts have failed; pre-laying nesting behaviors by terns have increased in frequency this week, as compared to previous weeks; gulls are no longer nesting at site
6/6 – 6/12/11 ›
High counts for the week of 495 ring-billed gulls, 81 California gulls, and 72 Caspian terns on Orems Unit tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; terns have initiated egg-laying but all early nesting attempts have failed; pre-laying nesting behaviors by terns have decreased in frequency this week, as compared to previous weeks; gulls nesting at the site, with the first ring-billed gull chick observed on 12 June
6/6 - 6/12/11 ›
High counts for the week of 1,369 nesting ring-billed gulls (901 nests), 561 nesting California gulls (350 nests), 155 nesting Caspian terns, 4 roosting American white pelicans, and 2 roosting double-crested cormorants on Crump Lake tern island; terns and gulls confirmed to be nesting at the site, but egg-laying by Caspian terns has not been initiated; the first gull chicks observed this week
6/6 - 6/12/11 ›
High counts for the week of 766 ring-billed gulls (361 nests), 63 California gulls (33 nests), 44 double-crested cormorants (0 nests), and 18 Caspian terns (0 nests) on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; terns and gulls have initiated egg-laying but all early nesting attempts by terns have failed
6/6 – 6/12/11 ›
High counts for the week of 104 California gulls (89 nests), 25 American white pelicans (6 nests), 18 great egrets (17 nests), 17 great blue herons (13 nests with chicks), and 8 double-crested cormorants (8 nests) on Pelican Lake island (near Adel, OR)
6/6 – 6/12/11 ›
Survey for piscivorous waterbirds conducted at Hart Lake, Flagstaff Lake, Greaser Reservoir, Drews Reservoir, Goose Lake, and Big Sage Reservoir; 11 gulls observed on Hart Lake; 24 gulls and 1 great egret observed on Flagstaff Lake; 8 Forster’s terns, 7 gulls, and 1 great egret observed at Greaser Reservoir; 55 Caspian terns, 29 American white pelicans, 23 double-crested cormorants, 5 Forster’s terns, 5 gulls, 2 great blue herons, and 2 black-crowned night herons observed on Drews Reservoir; 4 gulls, 2 great egrets, and 1 American white pelican observed on Goose Lake; 6 gulls observed on Big Sage Reservoir
6/6 – 6/12/11 ›
Survey for piscivorous waterbirds conducted at Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Thompson Reservoir, and Abert Lake; 133 gulls, 53 American white pelicans, 38 Forster’s terns, 19 black-crowned night-herons, 6 Caspian terns, and 4 double-crested cormorants observed at Summer Lake Wildlife Area; 2 Forster’s terns observed on Thompson Reservoir; 17 great egrets (11 nests) and 16 double-crested cormorants (7 nests) observed at Abert Lake near the Chewaucan River mouth
6/6 – 6/12/11 ›
High counts for the week of 28 ring-billed gulls, 26 double-crested cormorants, 12 American white pelicans, 9 Forster’s terns, 8 Caspian terns, 2 California gulls, and 1 killdeer on Dutchy Lake tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; Caspian terns have not initiated nesting behaviors on island
6/8/11 ›
Survey of Clear Lake in the Upper Klamath Basin; 65 roosting American white pelicans and 35 Caspian terns in an upland area on an island in the west arm of the lake; 3 terns were sitting in nest scrapes and pre-laying behaviors observed; egg-laying by terns has not been confirmed
6/8/11 ›
To further entice terns to nest, 100 lbs of fine-grained sand was used to top dress the gravel nesting substrate on the southern portion of Tule Lake Sump 1B tern island, Tule Lake NWR; terns have not yet initiated nesting in the sand plot
Weekly Update for 5/30 - 6/5/2011
5/30 – 6/5/11 ›
Wet, cold, and windy conditions continued this week in interior Oregon and northeastern California; counts of piscivorous waterbirds, including Caspian terns, on the tern islands have been highly variable; Caspian tern nesting chronology at all sites is delayed, apparently due to unseasonably cool, wet weather
5/30 – 6/5/11 ›
High counts for the week of 2,100 ring-billed gulls, 664 California gulls, 155 double-crested cormorants, and 83 Caspian terns on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; terns have initiated egg-laying, by week’s end there were 5 tern nests with eggs; some gulls are attending nests with chicks; the one attended double-crested cormorant nest has been abandoned
5/30 – 6/5/11 ›
High counts for the week of 78 Caspian terns, 17 ring-billed gulls, and 1 California gull on Tule Lake Sump 1B tern island, Tule Lake NWR; terns have initiated egg-laying but no nests with eggs were present by end of week; gulls are no longer nesting at site
5/30 – 6/5/11 ›
High counts for the week of 440 ring-billed gulls, 70 Caspian terns, and 55 California gulls on Orems Unit tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; terns and gulls have initiated egg-laying; no Caspian tern nests with eggs present by end of week
5/30 – 6/5/11 ›
Bald eagles disturbances were observed at all three tern islands in the Klamath Basin (Sheepy Lake, Tule Lake, and Orems Unit) and at the Dutchy Lake tern island in Summer Lake Wildlife area this past week; no adult terns or tern nests were depredated during these disturbances
5/30 - 6/5/11 ›
High counts for the week of 1,951 nesting ring-billed gulls (1,607 nests), 320 nesting California gulls (296 nests), 29 nesting Caspian terns, 4 roosting double-crested cormorants, and 1 roosting American white pelican on Crump Lake tern island; terns and gulls confirmed to be nesting at the site, but egg-laying by Caspian terns has not been initiated
5/30 - 6/5/11 ›
High counts for the week of 857 ring-billed gulls, 108 California gulls, 67 double-crested cormorants, 13 Caspian terns, and 1 American white pelican on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; gulls and terns have initiated egg-laying; by week’s end there were no Caspian tern nests with eggs
5/30 – 6/5/11 ›
High counts for the week of 107 California gulls, 55 American white pelicans, 18 great blue herons, 10 double-crested cormorants, 9 great egrets, and 1 Caspian tern on Pelican Lake island (near Adel, OR); all species except Caspian terns are confirmed nesting on island
5/30 – 6/5/11 ›
Predator activity observed at East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; 2 gull heads and 1 tern head observed on island, presumably killed by a great horned owl; color-bands from a Caspian tern that was banded as a chick on East Sand Island in 2007 and had been resighted on the East Link tern island earlier this year was found in a great horned owl pellet near the island
5/30 – 6/5/11 ›
Survey for piscivorous waterbirds conducted at Hart Lake, Flagstaff Lake, Greaser Reservoir, Drews Reservoir, Goose Lake, and Dog Lake; 16 gulls observed on Hart Lake; 2 gulls observed on Flagstaff Lake; 20 gulls, 2 great egrets, 2 great blue herons, and 1 black-crowned night-heron observed at Greaser Reservoir; 47 Caspian terns, 10 Forster’s terns, 7 American white pelicans, 4 double-crested cormorants, 2 great egrets, 1 great blue heron, and 1 black-crowned night heron observed on Drews Reservoir; 10 gulls, 8 Forster’s terns, 3 American white pelicans, 2 great egrets, and 1 Caspian tern observed on Goose Lake; 4 American white pelicans observed on Dog Lake
5/30 – 6/5/11 ›
Survey for piscivorous waterbirds conducted at Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Thompson Reservoir, and Abert Lake; 49 American white pelicans, 23 gulls, 9 black-crowned night-herons, 8 Forster’s terns, 8 double-crested cormorants, and 3 Caspian terns observed at Summer Lake Wildlife Area; 12 Forster’s terns and 3 double-crested cormorants observed on Thompson Reservoir; 24 double-crested cormorants (12 nests) and 3 great egrets (2 nests) observed at Abert Lake near the Chewaucan River mouth
5/30 – 6/5/11 ›
High counts for the week of 50 double-crested cormorants, 26 ring-billed gulls, 13 Forster’s terns, 4 Caspian terns, 3 American white pelicans, 2 California gulls, and 1 killdeer on Dutchy Lake tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; Caspian terns have not initiated nesting behaviors on island
6/4/11 ›
One double-crested cormorant that was color banded as a chick on East Sand Island in 2009 was re-sighted at the Sheepy Lake tern island; this is the first re-sighting in the Klamath Basin of a banded cormorant from East Sand Island
6/2/11 ›
Results from tests conducted by the National Wildlife Health Center confirmed that 2 of 3 dead gulls recovered from the Sheepy Lake tern island earlier this spring died from avian cholera; the cause of death of the remaining gull was not determined
Weekly Update for 5/23 - 5/29/2011
5/29/11 ›
First Caspian tern egg observed on Orems Unit tern island, Lower Klamath NWR
5/23 – 5/29/11 ›
Wet, cold, and windy conditions continued this week in interior Oregon and northeastern California; counts of piscivorous waterbirds, including Caspian terns, on the tern islands have been highly variable; Caspian tern nesting chronology at all sites is delayed, apparently due to unseasonably cool, wet weather
5/23 – 5/29/11 ›
High counts for the week of 2,283 ring-billed gulls, 810 California gulls, 227 Caspian terns, 118 double-crested cormorants, and 5 American white pelicans on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; gulls and terns have initiated egg-laying; despite exhibiting nesting behaviors, egg-laying by double-crested cormorants has not been confirmed
5/23 – 5/29/11 ›
High counts for the week of 94 Caspian terns, 79 ring-billed gulls, 2 California gulls, and 2 double-crested cormorants on Tule Lake Sump 1B tern island, Tule Lake NWR; gulls and terns confirmed to be nesting at the site, but egg-laying by gulls has not been initiated
5/23 – 5/29/11 ›
High counts for the week of 162 Caspian terns, 181 ring-billed gulls, and 1 California gull on Orems Unit tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; terns and ring-billed gulls have initiated egg-laying
5/23 - 5/29/11 ›
High counts for the week of 1,990 nesting ring-billed gulls, 410 nesting California gulls, and 34 nesting Caspian terns on Crump Lake tern island; terns and gulls confirmed to be nesting at the site, but egg-laying by Caspian terns has not been initiated
5/23 - 5/29/11 ›
High counts for the week of 995 ring-billed gulls, 107 California gulls, 29 Caspian terns, and 10 double-crested cormorants on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; gulls and terns have initiated egg-laying
5/23 – 5/29/11 ›
High counts for the week of 117 California gulls, 63 American white pelicans, 17 great blue herons, 13 great egrets, 11 double-crested cormorants, and 1 Caspian tern on Pelican Lake island (near Adel, OR); all species except Caspian terns are confirmed nesting on island
5/23 – 5/29/11 ›
Predator activity observed at East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; 5 gull heads observed on island, presumably killed by a great horned owl
5/23 – 5/29/11 ›
Survey for piscivorous waterbirds conducted at Hart Lake, Flagstaff Lake, Drews Reservoir, Big Sage Reservoir, Dog Lake, and Goose Lake; 2 gulls observed on Hart Lake; 26 gulls and 3 Caspian terns observed on Flagstaff Lake; 56 Caspian terns, 10 American white pelicans, 9 Forster’s terns, 4 double-crested cormorants, and 3 gulls observed on Drews Reservoir; 89 Forster’s terns, 11 American white pelicans, 11 gulls, and 2 great egrets observed on Goose Lake; 7 American white pelicans observed on Dog Lake; 1 American white pelican observed on Big Sage Reservoir
5/23 – 5/29/11 ›
Survey for piscivorous waterbirds conducted at Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Thompson Reservoir, and Abert Lake; 115 American white pelicans, 54 gulls, 40 Forster’s terns, 9 double-crested cormorants, 8 Caspian terns, and 5 black-crowned night-herons observed at Summer Lake Wildlife Area; 6 Forster’s terns, 3 double-crested cormorants, 1 American white pelican, and 1 great blue heron observed on Thompson Reservoir; 9 double-crested cormorants (7 nests) and 12 great egrets (4 nests) found at Abert Lake near the Chewaucan River mouth
5/27/11 ›
High counts for the week of 18 double-crested cormorants, 16 Forster’s terns, 3 ring-billed gulls, and 1 Caspian tern on Dutchy Lake tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; Caspian terns have not initiated nesting behaviors on island
5/26/11 ›
One juvenile sucker was observed in a bill load of a Caspian tern at the Tule Lake Sump 1B tern island, Tule Lake NWR; this is the first confirmed predation of possible ESA-listed sucker in the Klamath Basin by Caspian terns this year
Weekly Update for 5/16 - 5/22/2011
5/16 – 5/22/11 ›
High count of 1,890 ring-billed gulls, 697 California gulls, 88 Caspian terns, 35 double-crested cormorants, and 3 American white pelicans on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; gulls and terns have initiated egg-laying; despite exhibiting nesting behaviors, egg-laying by double-crested cormorants has not been initiated; counts of piscivorous waterbirds on the Sheepy Lake tern island are down considerably from the previous week
5/16 – 5/22/11 ›
High count of 109 Caspian terns, 1 double-crested cormorant, and a small number of gulls on Tule Lake Sump 1B tern island, Tule Lake NWR; gulls and terns confirmed to be nesting at the site, but egg-laying by gulls has not been initiated
5/16 – 5/22/11 ›
High count of 170 Caspian terns, 113 ring-billed gulls, 4 California gulls, and 3 American white pelicans on Orems Unit tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; Caspian terns and ring-billed gulls confirmed to be nesting at the site, but egg-laying has not been initiated
5/16 - 5/22/11 ›
High count of 2,615 nesting ring-billed gulls, 1,192 nesting California gulls, and 91 nesting Caspian terns on Crump Lake tern island; terns and gulls confirmed to be nesting at the site, but egg-laying by Caspian terns has not been initiated
5/16 - 5/22/11 ›
High count of 27 Forster’s terns, 5 double-crested cormorants, 3 ring-billed gulls, 1 American white pelican, and 1 Caspian tern on Dutchy Lake tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; Caspian terns have not initiated nesting behaviors on island
5/16 - 5/22/11 ›
High count of 1,090 ring-billed gulls, 115 California gulls, 32 Caspian terns, and 27 double-crested cormorants on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; gulls and terns have initiated egg-laying
5/16 – 5/22/11 ›
High count of 184 California gulls, 121 American white pelicans, 28 great blue herons, 16 great egrets, 10 double-crested cormorants, and 1 Caspian tern on Pelican Lake island (near Adel, OR); all but Caspian terns are confirmed nesting on the island
5/16 – 5/22/11 ›
Predator activity observed at East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; 1 tern head and 2 gull carcasses observed on island, presumably killed by a great horned owl
5/16 – 5/22/11 ›
Survey for piscivorous waterbirds conducted at Hart Lake, Flagstaff Lake, Mugwuamp Lake, Anderson Lake, Swamp Lake, Greaser Reservoir, Big Sage Reservoir, Drews Reservoir, Dog Lake, and Goose Lake; 45 gulls observed on Hart Lake; 12 Forster’s terns and 26 gulls observed on Flagstaff Lake; 56 California gulls and 5 ring-billed gulls observed on Mugwuamp Lake; 8 great egrets, 2 American white pelicans, 2 great blue heron, and 2 gulls observed on Greaser Reservoir; 56 Caspian terns, 16 Forster’s terns, 5 American white pelicans, 5 double-crested cormorants, and 2 ring-billed gulls observed on Drews Reservoir; 3 great blue herons and 2 American white pelicans observed on Dog Lake; 47 Forster’s terns, 4 American white pelicans, 2 ring-billed gulls, and 2 great egrets observed on Goose Lake
5/16 – 5/22/11 ›
Survey for piscivorous waterbirds conducted at Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Thompson Reservoir, and Abert Lake; 100 American white pelicans, 69 gulls, 34 Forster’s terns, 7 Caspian terns, 4 double-crested cormorants, and 1 black-crowned night heron observed at Summer Lake Wildlife Area; 2 double-crested cormorants, 2 Forster’s terns, and 1 great blue heron observed on Thompson Reservoir; 16 great egrets, 8 double-crested cormorants, 5 gulls, and 1 great blue heron observed on Abert Lake; both cormorants (7 nests) and egrets (4 nests) found nesting at Abert Lake near the Chewaucan River mouth
5/20/11 ›
One color-banded adult Caspian tern that initiated two nesting attempts at the East Sand Island colony earlier this year was resighted roosting on Orems Unit tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; this bird was nesting on a part of the East Sand Island tern colony that was receiving intense pressure from nest predators
5/18/11 ›
First Caspian tern egg observed on Tule Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; egg was later destroyed, presumably depredated by a gull
5/18/11 ›
First Caspian tern egg observed on the East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area
Weekly Update for 5/9 - 5/15/2011
5/9 – 5/15/11 ›
High count of 2,310 ring-billed gulls, 913 California gulls, 248 Caspian terns, and 147 double-crested cormorants on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; gulls and terns have initiated egg-laying; despite exhibiting nesting behaviors, egg-laying by double-crested cormorants has not been initiated
5/9 – 5/15/11 ›
High count of 128 Caspian terns, 47 ring-billed gulls, and 2 California gulls on Tule Lake Sump 1B tern island, Tule Lake NWR; all 3 species have initiated nesting behaviors on island, but egg-laying not yet initiated
5/9 – 5/15/11 ›
High count of 174 Caspian terns, 60 ring-billed gulls, and 4 California gulls on Orems Unit tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; Caspian terns and ring-billed gulls have initiated nesting behaviors on island, but egg-laying not yet initiated
5/9 - 5/15/11 ›
High count of 1,985 nesting ring-billed gulls, 836 nesting California gulls, 55 nesting Caspian terns, 4 roosting double-crested cormorants, and 1 nesting Canada goose on Crump Lake tern island; terns, gulls, and goose have initiated nesting behavior on island, but egg-laying by Caspian terns has not been initiated
5/9 - 5/15/11 ›
High count of 45 Forster’s terns, 6 double-crested cormorants, 6 ring-billed gulls, 6 California gulls, 4 American white pelicans, and 1 Caspian tern on Dutchy Lake tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; Caspian terns have not initiated nesting behaviors on island
5/9 - 5/15/11 ›
High count of 885 ring-billed gulls, 131 California gulls, 53 double-crested cormorants, 30 Caspian terns, and 1 American white pelican on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; terns and gulls initiated nesting behaviors on island, but egg-laying by Caspian terns has not been initiated
5/9 – 5/15/11 ›
High count of 216 California gulls, 190 American white pelicans, 26 great egrets, 16 great blue herons, and 8 double-crested cormorants on Pelican Lake island (near Adel, OR); all 5 species have initiated nesting behavior on island
5/9 – 5/15/11 ›
Survey for piscivorous waterbirds conducted at Hart Lake, Flagstaff Lake, Mugwuamp Lake, Anderson Lake, Swamp Lake, Greaser Reservoir, Big Sage Reservoir, Drews Reservoir, Dog Lake, and Goose Lake; 3 American white pelicans observed on Hart Lake; 14 Forster’s terns observed on Flagstaff Lake; 56 California gulls and 40 American white pelicans observed on Mugwuamp Lake; 30 ring-billed gulls observed on Anderson Lake; 7 great egrets, 5 American white pelicans, 1 great blue heron, and 1 double-crested cormorant observed on Greaser Reservoir; 35 ring-billed gulls observed on Big Sage Reservoir; 110 Caspian terns, 110 American white pelicans, 35 ring-billed gulls, 26 double-crested cormorants, 18 Forster’s terns, and 1 great blue heron observed at Drews Reservoir; 30 Forster’s terns and 1 American white pelican observed at Goose Lake
5/9 – 5/15/11 ›
Survey for piscivorous waterbirds conducted at Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Thompson Reservoir, and Abert Lake; 68 American white pelicans, 28 Forster’s terns, 17 double-crested cormorants, 15 ring-billed gulls, 3 black-crowned night herons, and 2 Caspian terns observed at Summer Lake Wildlife Area; 9 double-crested cormorants, 9 Forster’s terns, 3 gulls observed at Thompson Reservoir; no piscivorous waterbirds observed at Abert Lake
5/14/11 ›
First Caspian tern egg observed on Sheepy Lake floating tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; egg was later depredated by a ring-billed gull
5/12/11 ›
Refuge manger discovered 12 dead Caspian terns on a dike road located on the southern margin of Tule Lake Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR; tern deaths believed to have been caused by a collision with a speeding vehicle
Weekly Update for 5/2 – 5/8/2011
5/2 - 5/8/11 ›
High count of 1,320 nesting ring-billed gulls, 648 nesting California gulls, 90 nesting Caspian terns, and 1 roosting double-crested cormorant on Crump Lake tern island; terns and gulls have initiated nesting behavior on island, but egg-laying by Caspian terns has not been initiated
5/2 – 5/8/11 ›
High count of 111 California gulls, 93 American white pelicans, 11 great egrets, 5 great blue herons, and 5 double-crested cormorants on Pelican Lake island (near Adel, OR); all 5 species have initiated nesting behavior on island
5/2 - 5/8/11 ›
High count of 50 Forster’s terns, 28 double-crested cormorants, 4 American white pelicans, 3 Caspian terns, and 1 ring-billed gull on Dutchy Lake tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; Caspian terns have not initiated nesting behaviors on island
5/2 - 5/8/11 ›
High count of 150 California gulls, 100 ring-billed gulls, 22 Caspian terns, 8 double-crested cormorants, and 1 American white pelican on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; terns and gulls initiated nesting behaviors on island, but egg-laying by Caspian terns has not been initiated
5/2 – 5/8/11 ›
High count of 1,610 ring-billed gulls, 872 California gulls, 316 Caspian terns, and 268 double-crested cormorants on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; both gull species have initiated egg-laying; despite exhibiting nesting behaviors, egg-laying by Caspian tern or double-crested cormorants has not been initiated
5/2 – 5/8/11 ›
High count of 157 ring-billed gulls, 86 Caspian terns, and 25 California gulls on Tule Lake Sump 1B tern island, Tule Lake NWR; all 3 species have initiated nesting behaviors on island, but egg-laying not yet initiated
5/2 – 5/8/11 ›
High count of 93 Caspian terns, 7 ring-billed gulls, and 1 Franklin’s gull on Orems Unit tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; Caspian terns have initiated nesting behaviors on island
5/4 – 5/8/11 ›
Survey for piscivorous waterbirds conducted at Hart Lake, Drews Reservoir, Dog Lake, and Goose Lake; 330 Caspian terns, 44 American white pelicans, 41 Forster’s terns, and 21 double-crested cormorants observed at Drews Reservoir; 3 American white pelicans observed at Dog Lake; 15 American white pelicans and 3 double-crested cormorants observed at Hart Lake; 21 Forster’s terns, 4 ring-billed gulls, 2 American white pelicans, and 1 great egret observed at Goose Lake
5/3 – 5/5/11 ›
Survey for piscivorous waterbirds conducted at Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Thompson Reservoir, and Abert Lake; 87 American white pelicans, 22 black-crowned night herons, 13 Forster’s terns, 10 ring-billed gulls, 1 great blue heron, 1 great egret, and 1 double-crested cormorant observed at Summer Lake Wildlife Area; 1 double-crested cormorant observed foraging at Thompson Reservoir; no piscivorous waterbirds observed at Abert Lake
5/4/11 ›
First Caspian terns (2) observed on Orems Unit tern island, Lower Klamath NWR
5/3 – 5/4/11 ›
Caspian tern decoys and audio playback systems installed at Orems Unit tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; preparations for monitoring tern use on Orems Unit tern island completed
5/2/11 ›
First Caspian terns (19) observed on Crump Lake tern island
Weekly Update for 4/25 – 5/1/2011
4/25 – 5/1/11 ›
Evidence of great horned owl predation on two adult ring-billed gulls and one white-faced ibis on Tule Lake Sump 1B tern island, Tule Lake NWR
4/25 – 5/1/11 ›
High count of 107 Caspian terns, ca. 1,300 ring-billed gulls, 675 California gulls, 220 double-crested cormorants, and 9 Forster’s terns on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; Caspian terns and gulls are nesting on island, while cormorants and Forster’s terns are roosting on island
4/25 – 5/1/11 ›
High count of 14 Caspian terns, 53 ring-billed gulls, 3 California gulls, and 9 Forster’s terns on Tule Lake Sump 1B tern island, Tule Lake NWR; although nesting by Caspian terns and gulls appears imminent, none were attending nests
4/25 - 5/1/11 ›
High count of 279 ring-billed gulls and 197 California gulls on Crump Lake tern island; gulls have initiated nesting on island; to date, no Caspian terns observed on island
4/25 - 5/1/11 ›
High count of 8 Caspian terns, 26 double-crested cormorants, 13 Forster’s terns, 4 ring-billed gulls, and 1 killdeer on Dutchy Lake tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; Caspian terns have initiated nesting behavior (courtship, nest building, copulation) and killdeer is attending a nest with eggs on island
4/25 - 5/1/11 ›
High count of 14 Caspian terns, 327 ring-billed gulls, 48 California gulls, 56 double-crested cormorants, and 1 American white pelican on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; terns and gulls initiated nesting behavior (courtship, nest building, copulation) on island
4/24 – 5/1/11 ›
High count of 113 California gulls, 63 American white pelicans, 8 great blue herons, 8 great egrets, and 2 double-crested cormorants on Pelican Lake island (near Adel, OR); all have initiated nesting on island
5/1/11 ›
First Caspian tern (1) observed flying over Crump Lake tern island
4/29/11 ›
First survey conducted of Williamson River delta and Upper Klamath Lake; roost sites used by piscivorous waterbirds in previous years unoccupied due to high water
4/28/11 ›
First Caspian terns (4) observed on Dutchy Lake floating tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area
4/28/11 ›
Laura Hartley and other USGS employees visited Crump Lake tern island (Warner Valley, OR) to collect geophysical data
4/27/11 ›
Evidence of predation on two adult Caspian terns by great horned owl on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area
4/27/11 ›
Survey for foraging piscivorous waterbirds conducted at Hart Lake, Drews Reservoir, Dog Lake, and Goose Lake; 6 American white pelicans observed at Drews Reservoir, 1 American white pelican observed at Dog Lake, and 9 American white pelicans and 4 Forster’s terns observed at Goose Lake
4/26/11 ›
Refuge managers continued filling impoundment surrounding Orems Unit tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; no piscivorous waterbirds counted on or near island during survey
4/26/11 ›
Survey for foraging piscivorous waterbirds at Meiss Lake NWR near Macdoel, CA; ca. 2,000 gulls, 25 American white pelicans, and 20 double-crested cormorants counted; no Caspian terns observed
Weekly Update for 4/18 – 4/24/2011
4/18 - 4/24/11 ›
High count of 72 Caspian terns, 750 ring-billed gulls, 551 California gulls, and 303 double-crested cormorants on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; terns and gulls nesting on island, cormorants using island to loaf during day and roost over-night
4/18 - 4/24/11 ›
High count of 32 Caspian terns, 144 ring-billed gulls, and 11 California gulls on Tule Lake Sump 1B tern island, Tule Lake NWR; although nesting by birds appeared imminent, none attended nests
4/24/11 ›
Caspian tern decoys and audio playback systems installed on tern island at Dutchy Lake, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; preparations for monitoring tern use of Dutchy Lake tern island completed; 55 roosting double-crested cormorants, 3 roosting American white pelicans, and one nesting killdeer counted on island; Caspian terns (2) observed flying near island during visit
4/24/11 ›
First Caspian terns (7) observed on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; ca. 70 ring-billed gulls and 5 California gulls also counted on island; preparations for monitoring tern use of East Link Pond tern island completed
4/21 – 4/22/11 ›
Experimental cormorant social attraction nesting platform assembled and anchored in the southwestern corner of Dutchy Lake, Summer Lake Wildlife Area
4/20/11 ›
First Caspian terns (4) sighted at Summer Lake Wildlife Area
4/20/11 ›
First visit to Crump Lake tern island by project staff this year; video monitoring system installed, vegetation removed, and observation blind repaired; preparations for monitoring tern use of Crump Lake tern island completed; ca. 100 ring-billed gulls and 4 double-crested cormorants counted on island; Caspian terns not observed on or near island during visit
4/19 - 4/20/11 ›
Survey of Pelican Lake (near Adel, OR); 145 American white pelicans, 8 great blue herons, and one double-crested cormorant counted on island in center of lake; pelicans and herons have initiated nesting on island
Weekly Update for 4/11 – 4/17/2011
4/11 – 4/17/11 ›
High counts for week were 450 California gulls, 430 ring-billed gulls, 259 double-crested cormorants, and 12 Caspian terns on Sheepy Lake tern island; gulls actively nesting, all other piscivorous waterbirds roosting on island
4/16/11 ›
Seasonal field crews began work at Summer Lake Wildlife Area, OR and at Crump Lake, Warner Valley, OR
4/15/11 ›
Refuge managers began filling the impoundment surrounding the Orems Unit tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; a ring of shallow water surrounds the island; no piscivorous waterbirds counted on or around island during survey
4/11/11 ›
First Caspian terns (2) observed on Tule Lake Sump 1B tern island, Tule Lake NWR (based on review of video footage); no other piscivorous waterbirds were counted on island
Weekly Update for 4/4 – 4/10/2011
4/8/11 ›
PIT tags spread on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR for sucker PIT tag detection efficiency study
4/7/11 ›
Double-crested cormorant decoys, nest structures (tires), and audio playback systems installed on tern island at Tule Lake Sump 1b, Tule Lake NWR; PIT tags spread on Tule Lake tern island for sucker PIT tag detection efficiency study; installation of experimental cormorant social attraction at Tule Lake tern island completed
4/6/11 ›
First Caspian terns (4) observed on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR this year (based on review of video footage)
4/6/11 ›
Staff from Floating Islands West visited the tern island at Sheepy Lake, Lower Klamath NWR
4/5/11 ›
First Caspian terns (2) observed loafing on tern island at Fern Ridge Reservoir (based on review of video footage)
Weekly Update for 3/28 – 4/3/2011
4/3/11 ›
Caspian tern decoys, audio playback systems, and video monitoring system installed on tern island at Tule Lake Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR; preparations for monitoring tern use on Tule Lake tern island completed
4/2/11 ›
First Caspian tern observed flying near Sheepy Lake tern island; high counts for the week were >1,000 gulls, 16 double-crested cormorants, and 5 American white pelicans on the Sheepy Lake tern island
4/2/11 ›
Caspian tern decoys, audio playback systems, and video monitoring system installed on tern island at Sheepy Lake in Lower Klamath NWR; preparations for monitoring tern use on Sheepy Lake tern island completed
4/1/11 ›
Staff from Floating Islands West visited floating tern island at Sheepy Lake in Lower Klamath NWR; observation blind at Sheepy Lake tern island stabilized
3/28/11 ›
Seasonal field crew began work at Lower Klamath NWR and Tule Lake NWR
WEEKLY Update FOR 3/21 – 3/27/2011
Nothing to report
WEEKLY Update FOR 3/14 – 3/20/2011
3/18/11 ›
Paul Schmidt (USACE) and Bird Research Northwest staff visited floating tern island at Dutchy Lake in Summer Lake Wildlife Area to assess winter storm damage
3/17/11 ›
Marty St. Louis (ODFW) and students from Riverdale High School in Portland, OR assisted with vegetation removal and placement of Caspian tern decoys on East Link tern island in Summer Lake Wildlife Area
WEEKLY Update FOR 3/7 – 3/13/2011
3/8/11 ›
Caspian tern decoys, audio playback systems, and video monitoring system installed on tern island at Fern Ridge Reservoir; preparations for monitoring tern use on Fern Ridge Reservoir tern island completed
WEEKLY Update FOR 2/28 – 3/6/2011
3/1/11 ›
Staff from Bird Research Northwest, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Floating Islands West, and Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuges visited the Caspian tern islands at Sheepy Lake in Lower Klamath NWR and Tule Lake Sump 1B in Tule Lake NWR
