Weekly Update for 9/10 – 9/16/2012
9/10 – 9/16/12 ›
This completes our weekly reporting of field research activities in interior Oregon and California for 2012
9/10 – 9/16/12 ›
High counts this week of 686 adult Caspian terns (down from 1,229 last week), 130 active tern nests (down from 148 last week), and 89 tern chicks (up from 79 last week) on the Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; minimum counts this week of 409 loafing adult double-crested cormorants, 178 loafing adult American white pelicans, and 50 loafing juvenile gulls on the island
Weekly Update for 9/3 – 9/9/2012
9/3 – 9/9/12 ›
Final week of regular monitoring of piscivorous waterbird colonies at Crump Lake, Summer Lake, and the Klamath Basin for 2012
9/8/12 ›
Survey of piscivorous colonial waterbirds nesting on privately-owned Singhus Ranch (north and south islands) near the north shore of Malheur Lake, Oregon; minimum counts of 61 American white pelicans (adults and juveniles) and 18 double-crested cormorants (adults and juveniles) on the north island; no piscivorous waterbirds observed on south island
9/7/12 ›
Survey of East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; 20 loafing double-crested cormorants and 20 loafing killdeer observed on island; all Caspian tern nesting attempts on the East Link tern island failed in 2012
9/7/12 ›
Survey of Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; no Caspian terns, gulls, or other piscivorous waterbirds observed on the island; mammal scat and a burrow on the island were documented in previous weeks, perhaps explaining nest failure by terns and gulls on the Gold Dike tern island in 2012
9/7/12 ›
Survey of Dutchy Lake floating tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; no Caspian terns, gulls, or other piscivorous waterbirds observed on the island; no piscivorous waterbirds attempted to nest on the Dutchy Lake tern island in 2012
9/7/12 ›
Survey of piscivorous colonial waterbirds on Pelican Lake island, Warner Valley, Oregon; no piscivorous waterbirds observed on the island; dropping water levels have connected Pelican Lake island to the mainland
9/3 - 9/9/12 ›
High counts this week of 58 adult Caspian terns (down from 428 last week) and 9 tern chicks (down from 47 last week) on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; some older chicks have fledged
9/3 – 9/9/12 ›
High counts this week of 52 adult Caspian terns (down from 61 last week) and 23 tern chicks (down from 35 last week) on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; some older chicks have fledged; high counts this week of 3 juvenile California gulls on island
9/3 – 9/9/12 ›
High counts this week of 1,229 adult Caspian terns (similar to 1,257 last week), 148 active tern nests (similar to 145 last week), and 79 tern chicks (down from 142 last week) on the Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; >1,000 adult terns were regularly counted on the island this week; minimum counts this week of 534 loafing double-crested cormorants, 270 loafing American white pelicans, and 16 loafing gulls on the island
Weekly Update for 8/27 – 9/2/2012
9/2/12 ›
Survey of piscivorous colonial waterbirds nesting on privately-owned Singhus Ranch (north and south islands) near the north shore of Malheur Lake, Oregon; minimum counts of 220 American white pelicans (adults and juveniles) and 14 double-crested cormorants (adults and juveniles) on the north island; minimum count of 2 American white pelicans (adults and juveniles) on south island
8/29/12 ›
Survey of East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; no Caspian terns, gulls, or other piscivorous waterbirds observed on the island; all tern nesting attempts on the East Link tern island failed in 2012
8/29/12 ›
Survey of Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; no Caspian terns, gulls, or other piscivorous waterbirds observed on the island; mammal scat and a burrow on the island were documented in previous weeks, perhaps explaining nest failure by terns and gulls on the Gold Dike tern island in 2012
8/29/12 ›
Survey of Dutchy Lake floating tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; 50 loafing double-crested cormorants and 1 loafing great blue heron observed on island
8/28/12 ›
High counts this week of 428 Caspian terns (down from 616 last week) and 47 tern chicks on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; some older chicks have fledged; high counts this week of 2 juvenile ring-billed gulls on island
8/27 – 9/2/12 ›
Survey of piscivorous colonial waterbirds on Pelican Lake island, Warner Valley, Oregon; minimum counts of 4 American white pelicans (adults and juveniles), 3 great egrets (adults and juveniles) and 1 adult great blue heron on island; dropping water levels have connected Pelican Lake island to the mainland
8/27 – 9/2/12 ›
High counts this week of 61 adult Caspian terns (down from 81 last week), 3 active tern nests (down from 21 last week), and 35 tern chicks (down from 60 last week) on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; some older chicks have fledged; high counts this week of 3 juvenile California gulls on island
8/27 – 9/2/12 ›
High counts this week of 1,257 adult Caspian terns (down from 1,323 last week), 145 active tern nests (down from 161 last week), and 142 tern chicks (down from 157 last week) on the Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; >1,000 adult terns were regularly counted on the island this week; high counts this week of 200 loafing double-crested cormorants, 61 loafing American white pelicans, 4 loafing ring-billed gulls and 1 loafing California gull on the island
Weekly Update for 8/20 – 8/26/2012
8/26/12 ›
Tamara Payton (USFWS) assisted with surveys of Singhus Ranch (north and south islands)
8/25/12 ›
Last visit to the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California in 2012; all tern nesting attempts on the Tule Lake tern island failed by early July; chick mortality and colony failure was attributable to nocturnal disturbance and predation by a raccoon; social attraction decoys, sound systems, and solar panels were removed from the island;remains of 1 depredated tern and fresh raccoon tracks were found on the island
8/25/12 ›
Jessica Clemens (Harney County Chamber of Commerce) visited Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon
8/23/12 ›
Survey of East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; no Caspian terns, gulls, or other piscivorous waterbirds observed on the island; all tern nesting attempts on the East Link tern island failed in 2012
8/22/12 ›
High counts this week of 5 loafing Caspian terns on the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; all tern nesting attempts on the Tule Lake tern island failed by early July; chick mortality and colony failure was attributable to nocturnal disturbance and predation by a raccoon
8/22/12 ›
Survey of Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; no Caspian terns, gulls, or other piscivorous waterbirds observed on the island; no new evidence of mammal presence was observed this week; mammal scat and a burrow on the island were documented in previous weeks, perhaps explaining nest failure by terns and gulls on the Gold Dike tern island in 2012
8/22/12 ›
Survey of Dutchy Lake floating tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; 36 loafing double-crested cormorants and 25 loafing America white pelicans observed on island
8/21/12 ›
Survey of piscivorous colonial waterbirds nesting in trees at Sod House Ranch, Malheur NWR; all visible double-crested cormorant, great egret, and great blue heron nests were unattended; previous surveys suggest juveniles may have already fledged
8/20 – 8/26/12 ›
Survey of piscivorous colonial waterbirds nesting on privately-owned Singhus Ranch (north and south islands) near the north shore of Malheur Lake, Oregon; minimum counts of 1,000 American white pelicans (adults and juveniles), 83 double-crested cormorants (adults and juveniles), and 30 Caspian terns (adults and juveniles) on the north island; minimum count of 12 American white pelicans (adults and juveniles) on south island
8/20 – 8/26/12 ›
Survey of piscivorous colonial waterbirds on Pelican Lake island, Warner Valley, Oregon; minimum counts of 12 American white pelicans (adults and juveniles) and 1 great blue heron on island
8/20 – 8/26/12 ›
High counts this week of 81 adult Caspian terns (down from 98 last week), 21 active tern nests (down from 33 last week), and 60 tern chicks (down from 65 last week) on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; some older chicks have fledged; high counts this week of 3 juvenile California gulls and 1 adult ring-billed gull on island
8/20 – 8/26/12 ›
High counts this week of 616 Caspian terns (down from 632 last week) on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; chick counts ranged from 57 (8/26) to 104 (8/21), and were similar to chick counts last week (53 to 111); some older chicks have fledged; average counts this week of 1 nesting adult ring-billed gull (with chicks), 1 California gull chick, and 28 loafing American white pelicans on island
8/20 – 8/26/12 ›
High counts this week of 1,323 adult Caspian terns (up from 1,282 last week), 161 active tern nests (down from 169 last week), and 157 tern chicks (down from 205 last week) on the Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; >1,000 adult terns were regularly counted on the island this week, including the highest count of adult terns (1,323) so far this year; high counts this week of 154 loafing double-crested cormorants, 68 loafing American white pelicans, 2 loafing ring-billed gulls and 1 loafing California gull on the island
Weekly Update for 8/13 – 8/19/2012
8/18/12 ›
High counts this week of 18 loafing Caspian terns on the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; all tern nesting attempts on the Tule Lake tern island failed by early July; chick mortality and colony failure was attributable to nocturnal disturbance and predation by a raccoon
8/16/12 ›
Survey of East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; no Caspian terns, gulls, or other piscivorous waterbirds observed on the island; all tern nesting attempts on the East Link tern island failed in 2012
8/16/12 ›
Survey of Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; no Caspian terns, gulls, or other piscivorous waterbirds observed on the island; fresh mammal scat on the island suggests the previously documented burrow underneath the observation blind remains active (occupant currently unknown), perhaps explaining nest failure by terns and gulls on the Gold Dike tern island in 2012
8/15/12 ›
Survey of Dutchy Lake floating tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; 36 loafing double-crested cormorants and 22 loafing America white pelicans observed on island
8/13 – 8/19/12 ›
Survey of piscivorous colonial waterbirds on Pelican Lake island, Warner Valley, Oregon; average counts of 25 American white pelicans (adults and juveniles) and 1 great egret on island
8/13 – 8/19/12 ›
High counts this week of 98 adult Caspian terns (down from 128 last week), 33 active tern nests (down from 41 last week), and 65 tern chicks (similar to 68 last week) on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; a second wave of young chicks was observed this week with about 22 recently hatched chicks counted; high counts this week of 1 nesting adult California gull (with chicks) and 1 ring-billed gull chick on island
8/13 – 8/19/12 ›
High counts this week of 632 Caspian terns (up from 499 last week) on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; chick counts ranged from 111 (8/14) to 53 (8/19); some older chicks have fledged, but a second wave of recently hatched chicks (at least 10) were observed this week; average counts this week of 1 nesting adult ring-billed gull (with chicks), 1 California gull chick, 31 loafing American white pelicans, and 1 loafing great blue heron on island
8/13 – 8/19/12 ›
High counts this week of 1,282 adult Caspian terns (up from 762 last week) and 169 active tern nests (down from 198 last week), and 205 tern chicks (similar to 200 last week) on the Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; counts were regularly above 1,000 adult terns on the island this week, the highest counts so far this year; high counts this week of 120 loafing double-crested cormorants, 45 loafing American white pelicans, and 5 loafing California gulls on the island
Weekly Update for 8/6 – 8/12/2012
8/12/12 ›
Survey of piscivorous colonial waterbirds on Pelican Lake island, Warner Valley, Oregon; minimum count of 35 American white pelicans (adults and juveniles) on island
8/10 – 8/12/12 ›
Dr. Chen Shuihua (Zhejiang Natural History Museum, China) visited Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California and Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon
8/10/12 ›
135 Caspian tern chicks captured and banded at Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California
8/9/12 ›
42 Caspian tern chicks captured and banded at Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon
8/8/12 ›
190 Caspian tern chicks captured and banded at Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; thanks to Linda Beck, Carey Goss, Tamara Peyton, and Barry Smith with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for their assistance with banding
8/7/12 ›
68 American white pelican chicks captured and banded at privately-owned Singhus Ranch (south island) colony near the north shore of Malheur Lake, Oregon; thanks to Carey Goss and Ben Holtby with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Beau Blackburn, Marissa Choate, Anna Clemens, Bryce Goss, and Seth Kreger with the Youth Conservation Corps for their assistance with banding
8/6 – 8/12/12 ›
High counts this week of 128 adult Caspian terns (down from 206 last week), 41 active tern nests (down from 51 last week), and 68 tern chicks (up from 53 last week) on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; high counts this week of 2 nesting California gulls and 1 nesting ring-billed gull on island; gull nests contain chicks
8/6 – 8/12/12 ›
High counts this week of 499 Caspian terns (down from 640 last week) on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; about 139 Caspian tern chicks counted on colony; average counts this week of 16 nesting ring-billed gulls (some with chicks), 13 nesting California gulls (some with chicks), 6 loafing American white pelicans, and 1 loafing double-crested cormorant on island
8/6 – 8/12/12 ›
High counts this week of 762 adult Caspian terns (up from 711 last week) and 198 active tern nests (down from 209 last week), and a minimum of 200 tern chicks (up from 195 last week) on the Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; high counts this week of 35 loafing American white pelicans, 31 loafing double-crested cormorants, and 3 loafing California gulls on the island
Weekly Update for 7/30 – 8/5/2012
8/4/12 ›
Survey of piscivorous colonial waterbirds on Pelican Lake island, Warner Valley, Oregon; average counts of 1 adult American white pelican, 64 juvenile American white pelicans, 8 great egrets (adults and juveniles), and 3 double-crested cormorants (adults and juveniles) on island
8/3/12 ›
Aerial survey of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge; checked sites of piscivorous waterbird colonies in order to estimate nesting success
8/2/12 ›
High counts this week of 10 Caspian terns (up from 8 last week), 0 active Caspian tern nests (down from 5 last week), and no tern chicks (down from one last week) on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; all tern nesting attempts on the East Link tern island failed in 2012; average counts of 145 nesting ring-billed gulls (some with chicks) and 106 nesting California gulls (some with chicks) also observed on island
8/2/12 ›
Survey of Dutchy Lake floating tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; 56 loafing double-crested cormorants and one loafing America white pelican observed on island
8/1/12 ›
Survey of Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; no Caspian terns observed on the island in the past two weeks; no gulls were observed on the island this past week (one nesting ring-billed gull on the island the previous week); a burrow was discovered underneath the observation blind this past week (occupant currently unknown), perhaps explaining nest failure by terns and gulls on the Gold Dike tern island in 2012
7/30 – 8/5/12 ›
High counts this week of 206 adult Caspian terns (similar to 211 last week), 51 active tern nests (down from 83 last week), and 53 tern chicks (similar to 54 last week) on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; high counts this week of 39 nesting California gulls and 35 nesting ring-billed gulls on island; most gull nests contain chicks
7/30 – 8/5/12 ›
High counts this week of 640 Caspian terns (up from 546 last week) and 106 active tern nests (down from 158 last week) on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; between 100-150 Caspian tern chicks counted on colony in each of the previous two weeks; average counts this week of 111 nesting ring-billed gulls (some with chicks), 90 nesting California gulls (some with chicks), 132 loafing American white pelicans (adults and juveniles), and 61 loafing double-crested cormorants (adults and juveniles) on island
7/30 – 8/5/12 ›
High counts this week of 46 loafing Caspian terns, 100 loafing ring-billed gulls, 20 loafing California gulls, and 4 loafing double-crested cormorants on the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; all tern nesting attempts on the Tule Lake tern island failed by early July; chick mortality and colony failure was attributable to nocturnal disturbance and predation by a raccoon
7/30 – 8/5/12 ›
High counts this week of 711 adult Caspian terns (down from 768 last week) and 209 active tern nests (down from 270 last week), and 195 tern chicks (up from 185 last week) on the Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; high counts this week of 91 loafing double-crested cormorants, 54 loafing American white pelicans, 3 loafing California gulls, and 2 loafing ring-billed gulls on the island
Weekly Update for 7/23 – 7/29/2012
7/29/12 ›
Survey of piscivorous colonial waterbirds nesting in trees at Sod House Ranch, Malheur NWR: minimum counts of 17 double-crested cormorants, 7 great egrets, and 4 great blue herons; precise counts not possible due to dense foliage
7/27/12 ›
Survey of piscivorous colonial waterbirds nesting on privately-owned Singhus Ranch (north island) near the north shore of Malheur Lake, Oregon; minimum counts of 2,000 American white pelicans (adults and juveniles), 341 double-crested cormorants (adults and juveniles), 53 adult Caspian terns with at least 17 Caspian tern chicks, and several hundred adult gulls (both California and ring-billed gulls, some with chicks) on the north island
7/26/12 ›
Tim Bodeen (USFWS) visited Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon
7/23/12 ›
Survey of Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; no Caspian terns observed (down from 2 adults and 1 active nest last week); 1 ring-billed gull (1 active nest) observed on the island
7/23/12 ›
High counts this week of 8 Caspian terns (down from 20 last week), 5 active Caspian tern nests (down from 7 last week), and one tern chick on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; average counts of 127 nesting ring-billed gulls (some with chicks) and 12 nesting California gulls (some with chicks) also observed on island
7/23/12 ›
Survey of Dutchy Lake floating tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; 5 Caspian terns observed near island
7/23 – 7/29/12 ›
Survey of piscivorous colonial waterbirds on Pelican Lake island, Warner Valley, Oregon; average counts of 1 adult American white pelican, 86 juvenile American white pelicans, 25 gulls (adults and juveniles), 14 great egrets (adults and juveniles), and 3 double-crested cormorants (adults and juveniles) on island
7/23 – 7/29/12 ›
High counts this week of 211 adult Caspian terns (up from 133 last week), 83 active tern nests (similar to 82 last week), and 54 tern chicks (up from 48 last week) on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; high counts this week of 498 nesting ring-billed gulls, 492 nesting California gulls, and 23 loafing double-crested cormorants; most gull nests contain chicks
7/23 – 7/29/12 ›
High counts this week of 546 Caspian terns (up from 344 last week) and 158 active tern nests (down from 194 last week) on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; between 100-150 Caspian tern chicks counted on colony this week; average counts this week of 279 nesting ring-billed gulls (some with chicks), 266 nesting California gulls (some with chicks), 98 loafing American white pelicans (adults and juveniles), and 94 loafing double-crested cormorants (adults and juveniles) on island
7/23 – 7/29/12 ›
All Caspian tern nests on the Tule Lake tern island failed by early July; chick mortality and colony failure was attributable to nocturnal disturbance and predation by a raccoon
7/23 – 7/29/12 ›
High counts this week of 768 adult Caspian terns (up from 669 last week), 270 active tern nests (up from 266 last week), and 185 tern chicks (up from 155 last week) on the Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; high counts this week of 142 loafing double-crested cormorants, 62 loafing American white pelicans, 4 loafing ring-billed gulls, and 2 loafing California gulls on the island
Weekly Update for 7/16 – 7/22/2012
7/22/12 ›
First Caspian tern fledgling observed at Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California
7/19/12 ›
First Caspian tern fledgling observed at Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon
7/19/12 ›
High counts this week of one Caspian tern (down from 2 last week) and one active Caspian tern nest (same as last week) on Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; 5 ring-billed gulls (5 active nests) also observed on island
7/18/12 ›
High counts this week of 20 Caspian terns (down from 25 last week), 7 active Caspian tern nests (down from 9 last week), and one tern chick (same as last week) on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; 574 nesting ring-billed gulls (some with chicks) and 96 nesting California gulls (some with chicks) also observed on the island
7/18/12 ›
Survey of Dutchy Lake floating tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; no Caspian terns observed
7/17/12 ›
Carla Burnside (USFWS) visited Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon
7/17/12 ›
Survey of piscivorous colonial waterbirds nesting on privately-owned Singhus Ranch (north and south islands) near the north shore of Malheur Lake, Oregon; minimum counts of 1,450 American white pelicans (adults and juveniles), 285 double-crested cormorants (adults and juveniles), 40 adult Caspian terns with 28 active nests (at least 32 chicks), and several hundred adult gulls (both California and ring-billed gulls, some with chicks) on the north island; minimum count of 15 American white pelicans (adults and juveniles) on south island
7/16/12 ›
First Caspian tern fledgling observed at Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon
7/16 – 7/22/12 ›
Survey of piscivorous colonial waterbirds on Pelican Lake island, Warner Valley, Oregon; average counts of about 76 American white pelicans (mostly juveniles), 75 gulls (adults and juveniles), 24 great egrets (adults and juveniles), 11 double-crested cormorants (adults and juveniles), and 8 great blue herons (adults and juveniles) on island
7/16 – 7/22/12 ›
High counts this week of 133 adult Caspian terns (down from 185 last week), 82 active tern nests (up from 76 last week), and 48 tern chicks (down from 57 last week) on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; average counts this week of 377 nesting ring-billed gulls and 110 nesting California gulls on island; most gull nests contain chicks
7/16 – 7/22/12 ›
High counts this week of 344 Caspian terns (down from 368 last week) and 194 active tern nests (up from 175 last week) on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; between 100-150 Caspian tern chicks counted on colony this week; average counts this week of 854 nesting ring-billed gulls (some with chicks), 638 nesting California gulls (some with chicks), 150 loafing American white pelicans, and 41 loafing double-crested cormorants on island
7/16 – 7/22/12 ›
All Caspian tern nests on the Tule Lake tern island failed by early July; chick mortality and colony failure was attributable to nocturnal disturbance and predation by a raccoon
7/16 – 7/22/12 ›
High counts this week of 669 adult Caspian terns (down from 843 last week), 266 active tern nests (up from 244 last week), and 155 tern chicks (up from 108 last week) on the Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; high counts this week of 136 loafing double-crested cormorants, 72 loafing American white pelicans, 8 loafing Franklin’s gulls, 2 loafing California gulls, 2 loafing great blue herons, and one loafing ring-billed gull on island
Weekly Update for 7/9 – 7/15/2012
7/15/12 ›
Ciera Jones (U.S. Bureau of Land Management) visited Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon
7/13/12 ›
High counts this week of 25 Caspian terns (up from 19 last week) and 9 active Caspian tern nests (down from 10 last week) on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; first Caspian tern chick observed on-colony; 665 nesting ring-billed gulls (some with chicks) and 34 nesting California gulls (some with chicks) also observed on island
7/13/12 ›
Survey of piscivorous colonial waterbirds nesting in trees at Sod House Ranch, Malheur NWR: minimum count of 19 double-crested cormorants, 3 great egrets, and 1 great blue heron; precise counts not possible due to dense foliage
7/12/12 ›
Survey of Dutchy Lake tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; no Caspian terns observed
7/12/12 ›
High count this week of 2 Caspian terns (down from 6 last week) and 1 active Caspian tern nest (down from 4 last week) on Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; 11 ring-billed gulls (4 active nests) also observed on island
7/12/12 ›
Survey of piscivorous colonial waterbirds nesting on Pelican Lake island, Warner Valley, Oregon; average counts of about 130 gulls, 16 great blue herons (some with chicks), 11 double-crested cormorants (some with chicks), 5 American white pelicans (some with chicks), and 5 great egrets (some with chicks) on island
7/11/12 ›
Aerial survey of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge and several other reservoirs in the region; checked sites of piscivorous waterbird colonies active in previous years to determine occupancy
7/10/12 ›
Aerial survey of Warner Basin, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex, and several other reservoirs in the region; checked sites of piscivorous waterbird colonies active in previous years to determine occupancy
7/9 – 7/15/12 ›
High count this week of 185 Caspian terns (down from 198 last week) and 76 active tern nests (down from 88 last week) on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; most tern nests contain chicks, some contain eggs; high count of 57 tern chicks this week; average counts this week of 613 nesting ring-billed gulls and 286 nesting California gulls on island; most gull nests contain chicks
7/9 – 7/15/12 ›
High counts this week of 368 Caspian terns (down from 429 last week) and minimum count of 175 active tern nests (down from 207 last week) on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; tern nests contain eggs and chicks; minimum count of 89 Caspian tern chicks on colony this week; high counts this week of 954 nesting ring-billed gulls (some with chicks), 509 nesting California gulls (some with chicks), 234 loafing American white pelicans, and 164 loafing double-crested cormorants on island
7/9 – 7/15/12 ›
High counts this week of 1 Caspian tern (down from 141 last week) on the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; all tern nests on the Tule Lake tern island failed by the end of last week; chick mortality and colony failure was attributable to nocturnal disturbance and predation by a raccoon
7/9 – 7/15/12 ›
High counts this week of 843 Caspian terns (up from 646 last week) and 244 active tern nests (down from 252 last week) on the Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; tern nests contain eggs and some chicks; high count of 100 Caspian tern chicks on colony this week; high counts this week of 187 loafing double-crested cormorants, 65 loafing Franklin’s gulls, 31 loafing American white pelicans, 8 loafing ring-billed gulls, and 2 loafing California gulls on island
Weekly Update for 7/2 – 7/8/2012
7/6/12 ›
Survey of Dutchy Lake tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; no Caspian terns observed; social attraction (i.e., tern decoys and audio playback systems) was not deployed at the Dutchy Lake tern island and limited monitoring will be conducted at this site in 2012
7/6/12 ›
High count this week of 6 Caspian terns (up from 5 last week) and 4 active Caspian tern nests with eggs (same as last week) on Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; 31 ring-billed gulls (14 active nests) and 2 California gulls (2 active nests) also observed on island
7/6/12 ›
Survey of piscivorous colonial waterbirds nesting on privately-owned Singhus Ranch (north unnamed island) near the north shore of Malheur Lake, Oregon; an estimated 2,500 nesting American white pelicans (some with chicks), 574 nesting double-crested cormorants (some with chicks), 149 Caspian terns with 36 active nests (at least 3 chicks), and several hundred nesting gulls (both California and ring-billed gulls, some with chicks) observed on island
7/6/12 ›
Tamara Payton (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) visited Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon
7/5/12 ›
High counts this week of 19 Caspian terns (down from 25 last week) and 10 active Caspian tern nests (up from 8 last week) on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; 1,156 nesting ring-billed gulls (some with chicks) and 81 nesting California gulls (some with chicks) also observed on island
7/2 – 7/8/12 ›
Survey of piscivorous colonial waterbirds nesting on Pelican Lake island, Warner Valley, Oregon; average counts of about 150 gulls, 22 great blue herons (some with chicks), 18 double-crested cormorants (some with chicks), 17 American white pelicans (some with chicks), and 11 great egrets (some with chicks) on island
7/2 – 7/8/12 ›
High count this week of 198 Caspian terns (up from 147 last week) and 88 active tern nests (down from 100 last week) on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; tern nests contain eggs and some contain chicks; high count of 52 tern chicks on colony this week; average counts this week of 648 nesting ring-billed gulls and 240 nesting California gulls on island; most gull nests contain chicks
7/2 – 7/8/12 ›
High counts this week of 429 Caspian terns (up from 382 last week) and 207 active tern nests (down from 218 last week) on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; tern nests contain eggs and chicks; high count of 66 Caspian tern chicks on colony this week; high counts this week of 1,345 nesting ring-billed gulls (some with chicks), 553 nesting California gulls (some with chicks), 309 loafing American white pelicans, and 61 loafing double-crested cormorants on island
7/2 – 7/8/12 ›
High counts this week of 141 Caspian terns (down from 285 last week) on the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; all tern nests on Tule failed by the end of the week; chick mortality and colony failure attributable to nocturnal disturbance and predation by a raccoon; high counts this week of 101 loafing ring-billed gulls, 9 nesting American avocets (some with chicks), 10 loafing double-crested cormorants, 8 loafing California gulls, and 1 loafing American white pelican on island
7/2 – 7/8/12 ›
High counts this week of 646 Caspian terns (up from 480 last week) and 252 active tern nests (up from 243 last week) on the Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; tern nests contain eggs and some chicks; high count of 101 Caspian tern chicks on colony this week; high counts this week of 55 loafing Franklin’s gulls, 37 loafing double-crested cormorants, 20 loafing American white pelicans, 5 loafing ring-billed gulls, and 1 loafing California gull on island
Weekly Update for 6/25 – 7/1/2012
7/1/12 ›
Survey of piscivorous colonial waterbirds nesting in cottonwood trees at Sod House Ranch, Malheur NWR: active nests of great blue herons, double-crested cormorants (some with chicks), and great egrets (some with chicks) verified; precise counts not possible due to dense foliage
6/28 – 7/1/12 ›
Survey of piscivorous colonial waterbirds nesting on Pelican Lake island, Warner Valley, Oregon; average counts of about 160 gulls, 27 American white pelicans (some with chicks), 18 great egrets (some with chicks), 14 double-crested cormorants (some with chicks), and 4 great blue herons (some with chicks) on island
6/28/12 ›
High counts this week of 25 Caspian terns (up from 4 last week) and 8 active Caspian tern nests (up from 1 last week) on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; 975 nesting ring-billed gulls (224 active nests) and 81 nesting California gulls (28 active nests) also observed on island
6/28/12 ›
Survey of Dutchy Lake tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; no Caspian terns observed; social attraction (i.e., tern decoys and audio playback systems) was not deployed at the Dutchy Lake tern island and limited monitoring will be conducted at this site in 2012; 5 loafing American white pelican observed on island
6/27/12 ›
High count this week of 5 loafing Caspian terns (down from 7 last week) and 4 active Caspian tern nests with eggs (up from 3 nests last week) on Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; 213 ring-billed gulls (94 active nests) and 3 loafing California gulls also observed on island
6/26/12 ›
Robyn Thorson (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) observed Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon
6/26 – 6/30/12 ›
Survey of piscivorous colonial waterbirds nesting on two privately-owned islands on Singhus Ranch (north and south unnamed islands) near the north shore of Malheur Lake, Oregon; minimum counts of several hundred nesting American white pelicans (some with chicks), 522 nesting double-crested cormorants (some with chicks), 140 Caspian terns with 72 active nests (some with chicks), and several hundred nesting gulls (both California and ring-billed gulls, some with chicks) observed on north unnamed island; nesting American white pelicans, including 1 pelican chick, observed on south unnamed island; last year, Caspian terns, double-crested cormorants, American white pelicans, and both species of gulls attempted to nest on the north unnamed island, while just American white pelicans attempted to nest on the south unnamed island; both islands are just outside the boundaries of Malheur NWR
6/25 – 7/1/12 ›
High count this week of 147 Caspian terns (down from 199 last week) and 100 active tern nests (down from 118 last week) on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; tern nests contain eggs and some chicks; high count of 22 tern chicks on colony this week; average counts this week of 1,028 nesting ring-billed gulls and 435 nesting California gulls on island; most gull nests contain chicks
6/25 – 7/1/12 ›
High counts this week of 382 Caspian terns (down from 429 last week) and 218 active tern nests (same as last week) on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; tern nests contain eggs and some chicks; high count of 58 Caspian tern chicks on colony this week; high counts this week of 1,898 nesting ring-billed gulls (some with chicks), 700 nesting California gulls (some with chicks), 130 loafing American white pelicans, and 98 loafing double-crested cormorants on island
6/25 – 7/1/12 ›
High counts this week of 285 Caspian terns (down from 425 last week) and 122 active tern nests (down from 210 last week) on the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; counts of tern chicks on colony declined dramatically this week, only 8 tern chicks survived, with >100 dead chicks counted on-colony; remaining tern nests contain eggs and some chicks; chick mortality attributable to nocturnal disturbance and predation by a raccoon; high counts this week of 183 loafing ring-billed gulls, 7 nesting American avocets (some with chicks), 6 loafing double-crested cormorants, and 6 loafing California gulls on island
6/25 – 7/1/12 ›
High counts this week of 480 Caspian terns (up from 452 last week) and 243 active tern nests (similar to 242 last week) on the Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; tern nests contain eggs and some chicks; high count of 56 Caspian tern chicks on colony this week; high counts this week of 6 ring-billed gulls (2 active nests with chicks), 25 loafing double-crested cormorants, 11 loafing American white pelicans, 39 loafing Franklin’s gull, and 3 loafing California gulls on island
Weekly Update for 6/18 – 6/24/2012
6/21/12 ›
High count this week of 7 loafing Caspian terns (down from 9 last week) and 3 active tern nests (with 1 egg each) on Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; 109 ring-billed gulls (37 active nests) and 3 California gulls (1 active nest) also observed on island
6/21/12 ›
High counts this week of 4 Caspian terns (down from 8 last week) and 1 active tern nest (with 1 egg) on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; an additional 37 terns observed loafing on a nearby sandbar; 499 nesting ring-billed gulls (235 active nests) and 47 nesting California gulls (17 active nests) also observed on island
6/21/12 ›
Survey of Dutchy Lake tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; no Caspian terns observed; social attraction (i.e., tern decoys and audio playback systems) was not deployed at the Dutchy Lake tern island and limited monitoring will be conducted at this site in 2012; 3 loafing adult double-crested cormorants and 1 loafing American white pelican observed on island
6/20/12 ›
Survey of piscivorous colonial waterbirds nesting on Pelican Lake island, Warner Valley, Oregon; average counts of about 190 gulls, 30 American white pelicans (some with chicks), 19 great egrets (some with chicks), 19 double-crested cormorants (some with chicks), and 15 great blue herons (some with chicks) observed on island
6/20 – 6/24/12 ›
Survey of piscivorous colonial waterbirds nesting on the privately-owned Singhus Ranch (north unnamed island) near the north shore of Malheur Lake, Oregon; minimum counts of about 300 adult American white pelicans, 320 double-crested cormorants (adults and chicks), and 131 adult Caspian terns observed on north unnamed island
6/18 – 6/24/12 ›
High count this week of 199 Caspian terns (up from 176 last week) and 118 active tern nests (up from 96 last week) on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; tern nests contain eggs and some chicks; high count of tern chicks on colony this week was 22; average counts this week of 905 nesting ring-billed gulls and 283 nesting California gulls also observed on island; most gull nests contain chicks
6/18 – 6/24/12 ›
High counts this week of 429 Caspian terns (up from 425 last week) and 218 active tern nests (up from 199 last week) on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; tern nests contain eggs and some chicks; high count of tern chicks on colony this week was 24; at least 4 tern chicks were depredated by California gulls this week; high counts this week of 2,047 nesting ring-billed gulls (some with chicks), 858 nesting California gulls (some with chicks), 52 loafing double-crested cormorants, and 26 loafing American white pelicans also observed on island
6/18 – 6/24/12 ›
High counts this week of 425 Caspian terns (down from 482 last week) and 210 active tern nests (up from 206 last week) on the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; tern nests contain eggs and some chicks; counts of tern chicks on colony declined dramatically this week from a high of 84 to a low of 32 chicks by the end of the week; 79 dead tern chicks counted on colony during this period; chick mortality attributable to disturbances by nocturnal predators and continue to be investigated; high counts this week of 103 loafing ring-billed gulls, 43 nesting American avocets (some with chicks), 33 loafing double-crested cormorants, and 5 loafing California gulls also observed on island
6/18 – 6/24/12 ›
High counts this week of 452 Caspian terns (down from 606 last week) and 242 active tern nests (up from 203 last week) on the Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; tern nests contain eggs and some chicks; high count of tern chicks on colony this week was 60; high counts this week of 8 ring-billed gulls (2 active nests), 3 California gulls (one active nest), 8 loafing American white pelicans, 4 loafing double-crested cormorants, and 1 loafing Franklin’s gull also observed on island
Weekly Update for 6/11 – 6/17/2012
6/17/12 ›
Survey of piscivorous colonial waterbirds nesting on Pelican Lake island, Warner Valley, Oregon; minimum counts of 140 gulls, 29 American white pelicans (some with chicks), 23 great egrets (some nesting), 17 double-crested cormorants (at least 3 active nests), and 13 great blue herons (some with chicks) observed on island
6/16 – 6/17/12 ›
Dr. Katie O’Reilly with the University of Portland and the University of Portland summer ornithology class visited Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon
6/14/12 ›
Aerial survey of Warner Basin, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Harney Basin, Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, and several other reservoirs in the region; checked sites of piscivorous waterbird colonies active in previous years to determine occupancy; photographs taken during the flight will be used to count birds on Pelican Island in the Warner Valley and Singhus Ranch islands in Malheur Lake; numerous American white pelican chicks seen at both Pelican Island in the Warner Valley and Singhus Ranch islands in Malheur Lake
6/13/12 ›
Aerial survey of Crane Prairie Reservoir, Wickiup Reservoir, Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge, Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge, Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Clear Lake National Wildlife Refuge, and other reservoirs in the region; checked sites of piscivorous waterbird colonies active in previous years to determine occupancy; photographs taken during the flight will be used to count nesting piscivorous waterbirds in these areas
6/13/12 ›
High count this week of 9 loafing Caspian terns (up from 6 last week) and 2 active tern nests (with 1 egg each) on the Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; 74 ring-billed gulls (23 active nests) also observed on island
6/13/12 ›
High counts this week of 8 Caspian terns (down from 33 last week) and 1 active tern nest (with 1 egg) on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; three previously active tern nests on the island have failed (cause unknown); 629 nesting ring-billed gulls (489 active nests) and 49 nesting California gulls (39 active nests) also observed on island
6/13/12 ›
Survey of Dutchy Lake tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; no Caspian terns observed (down from 5 last week); social attraction (i.e., tern decoys and audio playback systems) was not deployed at the Dutchy Lake tern island and limited monitoring will be conducted at this site in 2012; 15 loafing adult double-crested cormorants observed on island
6/13/12 ›
Surveys for foraging piscivorous waterbirds at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge; Baca Lake had the highest concentration of foraging piscivorous waterbirds of all areas surveyed; 34 Caspian terns, 569 American white pelicans, 19 Forster’s terns, 13 great blue herons, 2 double-crested cormorants, 1 great egret, and 1 snowy egret observed at lake
6/11 – 6/17/12 ›
High count this week of 176 Caspian terns (down from 209 last week) and 96 active tern nests (up from 71 last week) on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; tern nests contain eggs and some chicks; high count of tern chicks on colony this week was 13; average counts this week of 827 nesting ring-billed gulls and 425 nesting California gulls also observed on island; most gull nests contain chicks
6/11 – 6/17/12 ›
High counts this week of 425 Caspian terns (up from 358 last week) and 199 active tern nests (up from 134 last week) on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; tern nests contain eggs and some chicks; high count of tern chicks on colony this week was 36; high counts this week of 2,220 nesting ring-billed gulls (some with chicks), 873 nesting California gulls (some with chicks), 69 loafing double-crested cormorants, and 9 loafing American white pelicans also observed on island
6/11 – 6/17/12 ›
High counts this week of 482 Caspian terns (up from 450 last week) and 206 active tern nests (up from 173 last week) on the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; tern nests contain eggs and some chicks; high count of tern chicks on colony this week was 56; high counts this week of 47 loafing ring-billed gulls, 43 nesting American avocets (some with chicks), 34 loafing double-crested cormorants, 13 loafing American white pelicans, and 4 loafing California gulls also observed on island
6/11 – 6/17/12 ›
High counts this week of 606 Caspian terns (up from 343 last week) and 203 active tern nests (up from 141 last week) on the Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; tern nests contain eggs and some chicks; high count of tern chicks on colony this week was 40; high counts this week of 43 Franklin’s gulls (no active nests), 8 California gulls (no active nests), 4 ring-billed gulls (2 active nests), 3 loafing American white pelicans, and one loafing double-crested cormorant also observed on island
Weekly Update for 6/4 – 6/10/2012
6/10/12 ›
Survey of piscivorous colonial waterbirds nesting on Pelican Lake island, Warner Valley, Oregon; minimum counts of 130 gulls, 52 American white pelicans, 37 great blue herons, 24 great egrets, and 14 double-crested cormorants (all nesting) observed on island
6/8/12 ›
First Caspian tern chick observed at the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California
6/7/12 ›
First Caspian tern chick observed at the Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California
6/7/12 ›
First Caspian tern chick observed at the Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon
6/6/12 ›
High count this week of 6 loafing Caspian terns (up from 2 last week) on the Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; two previously active tern nests on the island have failed (cause unknown); 61 ring-billed gulls (14 active nests) and one loafing double-crested cormorant also observed on island
6/6/12 ›
High counts this week of 33 Caspian terns (up from 6 last week) and 3 active tern nests (up from 2 last week) on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; all tern nests contain eggs; 747 nesting ring-billed gulls (493 active nests) and 86 nesting California gulls (50 active nests) also observed on island, nearly double the number of gulls counted on the island the previous week; this increase in the numbers of terns and gulls counted on the island was coincident with the absence of any evidence of great horned owl predation at the site this week; owl sign was observed in each of the three previous weeks
6/6/12 ›
High count this week of 5 loafing Caspian terns (up from one last week) on the Dutchy Lake tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; social attraction (i.e., tern decoys and audio playback systems) was not deployed at the Dutchy Lake tern island and limited monitoring will be conducted at this site in 2012; one loafing American white pelican also observed on island
6/5/12 ›
Surveys for foraging piscivorous waterbirds at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge; Baca Lake had the highest concentration of foraging piscivorous waterbirds of all areas surveyed; 64 Caspian terns, 229 American white pelicans, 31 Forster’s terns, 13 great egrets, 12 black-crowned night-herons, 7 double-crested cormorants, 5 snowy egrets, and 3 great blue herons observed at lake
6/4 – 6/10/12 ›
High counts this week of 209 Caspian terns (up from 168 last week) and 71 active tern nests (up from 49 last week) on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; tern nests contain eggs and some chicks; average counts this week of 1,352 nesting ring-billed gulls and 391 nesting California gulls also observed on island; most gull nests contain chicks
6/4 – 6/10/12 ›
High counts this week of 358 Caspian terns (down from 403 last week) and 134 active tern nests (up from 107 last week) on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; tern nests contain eggs and some chicks; high counts this week of 1,965 nesting ring-billed gulls, 695 nesting California gulls, 83 loafing double-crested cormorants, and 7 loafing American white pelicans also observed on island
6/4 – 6/10/12 ›
High counts this week of 450 Caspian terns (up from 419 last week) and 173 active tern nests (up from 158 last week) on the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; tern nests contain eggs and some chicks; high counts this week of 47 nesting American avocets, 105 loafing ring-billed gulls, 43 loafing double-crested cormorants, 13 loafing American white pelicans, and 5 loafing California gulls also observed on island
6/4 – 6/10/12 ›
High counts this week of 343 Caspian terns (down from 455 last week) and 141 active tern nests (up from 109 last week) on the Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; tern nests contain eggs and some chicks; high counts this week of 17 ring-billed gulls (2 active nests), 9 California gulls (no active nests), and one loafing double-crested cormorant also observed on island
Weekly Update for 5/28 – 6/3/2012
5/31/12 ›
First Caspian tern chick observed at Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon
5/31/12 ›
Survey of piscivorous colonial waterbirds nesting on two privately-owned islands on Singhus Ranch (north and south unnamed islands) near the north shore of Malheur Lake, Oregon; minimum counts of ca. 500 American white pelicans with 45 active nests (some with chicks), 222 double-crested cormorants with 107 active nests (some with chicks), 96 Caspian terns with 39 active nests, and 450 gulls (both California and ring-billed gulls) observed on north unnamed island; 176 loafing American white pelicans observed on south unnamed island; last year, Caspian terns, double-crested cormorants, American white pelicans, and both species of gulls attempted to nest on the north unnamed island, while just American white pelicans attempted to nest on south unnamed island; both islands are just outside the boundaries of Malheur NWR
5/31/12 ›
High count this week of 2 loafing Caspian terns on the Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; two previously active tern nests on the island have since failed (cause unknown); 25 ring-billed gulls (8 active nests) also observed on island
5/31/12 ›
High count this week of 6 Caspian terns with 2 active nests containing eggs on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; 304 nesting ring-billed gulls (273 active nests) and 44 nesting California gulls (40 active nests) also observed on island; three decapitated gulls also found on island, likely killed by a great horned owl; there are no plans to remove the owl that is visiting the island
5/31/12 ›
High count this week of one loafing Caspian tern on the Dutchy Lake tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; social attraction (i.e., tern decoys and audio playback systems) were not deployed at the Dutchy Lake tern island and limited monitoring will be conducted at this site in 2012; 6 loafing double-crested cormorants and 5 loafing American white pelicans also observed on island
5/28 – 6/3/12 ›
High count this week of 168 Caspian terns with 49 active nests containing eggs on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; 1,356 nesting ring-billed gulls (1,013 active nests) and 338 nesting California gulls (274 active nests) also observed on island
5/28 – 6/3/12 ›
High count this week of 403 Caspian terns with 107 active nests containing eggs on the Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; high counts this week of 2,290 nesting ring-billed gulls, 755 nesting California gulls, 29 loafing double-crested cormorants, and 14 loafing American white pelicans also observed on island
5/28 – 6/3/12 ›
High count this week of 419 Caspian terns with 158 active nests containing eggs on the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; high counts this week of 33 nesting American avocets, 45 loafing ring-billed gulls, 25 loafing double-crested cormorants, 11 loafing American white pelicans, 5 loafing California gulls, and 2 loafing black-necked stilts also observed on island
5/28 – 6/3/12 ›
High count this week of 455 Caspian terns with 109 active nests (some with chicks) on the Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; high counts of 19 ring-billed gulls (2 active nests), 15 California gulls (one active nest), 2 loafing Franklin’s gull, and one loafing double-crested cormorant also observed on island
5/28/12 ›
Survey of piscivorous colonial waterbirds nesting on Pelican Lake island, Warner Valley, Oregon; minimum counts of 250 gulls, 119 American white pelicans, 31 great egrets, 27 great blue herons, 9 double-crested cormorants, and 5 Canada geese (all nesting) observed on island
Weekly Update for 5/21 – 5/27/2012
5/24 - 5/26/12 ›
Severe, unseasonably cold weather struck interior Oregon and northeastern California late this week, dumping several inches of snow in the Warner Valley and dusting the Upper Klamath basin with snow as well; Caspian tern colonies on Sheepy Lake in Lower Klamath NWR, Tule Lake Sump 1B in Tule Lake NWR, Crump Lake in the Warner Valley, and Malheur Lake in Malheur NWR all saw significant declines in numbers of active nests following the storm system; the Caspian tern colony on Crump Lake tern island was hardest hit, losing about half of the 64 nests with eggs counted earlier in the week
5/23/12 ›
First Caspian tern eggs (n = 2 eggs in separate nest scrapes) observed on Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon
5/23/12 ›
High count this week of 6 Caspian terns with 2 active nests containing eggs on the Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; 6 ring-billed gulls (2 active nests) also observed on island
5/23/12 ›
First Caspian tern eggs (n = 4 eggs in 4 separate nest scrapes) observed on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon
5/23/12 ›
High count this week of 21 Caspian terns with 4 active nests containing eggs on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; 577 nesting ring-billed gulls (393 active nests) and 66 nesting California gulls (43 active nests) also observed on island; four decapitated gulls also found on island, likely killed by a great horned owl; there are no plans to remove the owl that is visiting the island
5/23/12 ›
High count of 5 loafing Caspian terns on the Dutchy Lake tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; social attraction (i.e., tern decoys and audio playback systems) were not deployed at the Dutchy Lake tern island and limited monitoring will be conducted at this site in 2012
5/21 – 5/27/12 ›
High count this week of 185 Caspian terns with 64 active nests containing eggs on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; ca. 1,500 nesting ring-billed gulls (907 active nests) and 272 nesting California gulls (213 active nests) also observed on island; the first gull chicks observed this week
5/21 – 5/27/12 ›
High count this week of 285 Caspian terns with 132 active nests containing eggs on the Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; high counts this week of 2,045 nesting ring-billed gulls, 880 nesting California gulls, 8 loafing double-crested cormorants, and one loafing American white pelican also observed on island; the first gull chicks observed this week
5/21 – 5/27/12 ›
High count this week of 396 Caspian terns with 130 active nests containing eggs on the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; high counts this week of 6 nesting American avocets, 78 loafing ring-billed gulls, 68 loafing double-crested cormorants, and 26 loafing American white pelicans also observed on island
5/21 – 5/27/12 ›
High count this week of 318 Caspian terns with 144 active nests containing eggs on the Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; high counts of 12 ring-billed gulls (one active nest), 6 loafing California gulls, one loafing Franklin’s gull, and one loafing double-crested cormorant also observed on island
5/21 - 5/27/12 ›
Survey of piscivorous colonial waterbirds nesting on Pelican Lake island, Warner Valley, Oregon; minimum counts of 185 gulls, 161 American white pelicans, 26 great egrets, 7 double-crested cormorants, 6 great blue herons, and 2 Canada geese observed on island
Weekly Update for 5/14 – 5/20/2012
5/20/12 ›
N. Marcy (AmeriCorps volunteer) visited Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California
5/17/12 ›
C. Larson (USFWS intern) visited Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon
5/17/12 ›
Removed last of the remaining tarps placed on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; tarps were placed on a small portion of the island in mid-Aprilto prevent gulls from nesting throughout the island and excluding Caspian terns from nesting on the island
5/17/12 ›
High count this week of 18 pre-breeding Caspian terns on the Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; 26 loafing ring-billed gulls also observed on island
5/17/12 ›
High count this week of 15 Caspian terns (some possibly with eggs) observed on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; 860 nesting ring-billed gulls (333 active nests) and 50 nesting California gulls (21 active nests) also observed on island; two decapitated gulls also found on island, likely killed by a great horned owl; there are no plans to remove the owl that is visiting the island
5/16/12 ›
Survey of piscivorous colonial waterbirds nesting in trees at Sod House Ranch, Malheur NWR: minimum count of 34 active great blue heron nests, 26 active double-crested cormorant nests, and 3 great egret nests
5/16/12 ›
Survey of Orem’s Unit tern Island, Lower Klamath NWR; two gulls on island; no birds observed nesting on island; the water level in the impoundment that surrounds this tern island has dropped considerably and mammalian predators (i.e., coyotes) likely have access to the island
5/14 – 5/20/12 ›
High count this week of 31 nesting Caspian terns (25 active nests) on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; 1,701 nesting ring-billed gulls (846 active nests) and 194 nesting California gulls (121 active nests) also observed on island
5/14 – 5/20/12 ›
High count this week of 316 Caspian terns (some sitting on eggs) on the Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; high counts this week of 1,415 nesting ring-billed gulls, 755 nesting California gulls, 2 nesting Canada geese, 8 loafing double-crested cormorants, and 2 loafing American white pelicans also observed on island
5/14 – 5/20/12 ›
High count this week of 444 Caspian terns (some sitting on eggs) on the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; high counts this week of 6 nesting American avocets, 200 loafing American white pelicans, 82 loafing double-crested cormorants, 19 loafing ring-billed gulls, 10 loafing California gulls, and one loafing snowy egret also observed on island
5/14 – 5/20/12 ›
High count this week of 551 Caspian terns with 71 active nests containing eggs on the Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; high counts of 42 loafing ring-billed gulls, 37 loafing Franklin’s gulls, 17 loafing California gulls, and 5 loafing double-crested cormorants (near social attraction plot) also observed on island
5/14 - 5/20/12 ›
Survey of piscivorous colonial waterbirds nesting on Pelican Lake island, Warner Valley, Oregon; minimum counts of 197 American white pelicans, 150 gulls, 28 great blue herons, 21 great egrets, 17 Canada geese, and 3 double-crested cormorants observed on island
5/14/12 ›
First Caspian tern eggs (n = 3 eggs) observed on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon
Weekly Update for 5/7 – 5/13/2012
5/13/12 ›
First Caspian tern eggs (n = 4 eggs) observed on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR
5/13/12 ›
Removed tarps placed on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; tarps were placed on a small portion of the island in mid-Aprilto prevent gulls from nesting throughout the island and excluding Caspian terns from nesting on the island
5/12/12 ›
First Caspian tern egg observed on Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR
5/12/12 ›
High count of 9 pre-breeding Caspian terns on the Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; 5 loafing ring-billed gulls also observed on island
5/11 - 5/12/12 ›
Survey of piscivorous colonial waterbirds nesting on a privately-owned island near the north shore of Malheur Lake, Oregon on the Singhus Ranch; last year, Caspian terns, double-crested cormorants, and American white pelicans attempted to nest on this island, which is just outside the boundaries of Malheur NWR; minimum count of ca. 600 American white pelicans with 22 active nests, 250 double-crested cormorants with 112 active nests, and 80 Caspian terns observed on island; unable to confirm if terns are nesting at the site
5/11/12 ›
Survey of Clear Lake, Clear Lake NWR; no nesting activity by Caspian terns observed
5/11/12 ›
High count of 14 pre-breeding Caspian terns observed on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; 463 ring-billed gulls with 135 active nests, 27 California gulls with 10 active nests, and 2 loafing double-crested cormorant also observed on island
5/11/12 ›
High count of 7 loafing Caspian terns on the Dutchy Lake tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; no Caspian tern social attraction has been installed at Dutchy Lake tern island this season; 17 loafing black-crowned night-herons, 15 loafing gulls, and 4 loafing double-crested cormorants also observed on island
5/8/12 ›
Survey of Orem’s Unit tern Island, Lower Klamath NWR; two gulls on island; no Caspian terns observed; the impoundment that surrounds this tern island is expected to be dry in the next month or two, so no Caspian tern social attraction has been installed on this island
5/7 – 5/13/12 ›
High count of 184 pre-breeding Caspian terns on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; 1,796 ring-billed gulls with 609 active nests and 88 California gulls with 50 active nests also observed on island
5/7 – 5/13/12 ›
High count of 241 Caspian terns (some nesting) on the Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; 575 California gulls and 1,365 ring-billed gulls (most nesting) also observed on island
5/7 – 5/13/12 ›
High count of 340 Caspian terns (some nesting) on the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; 42 loafing double-crested cormorants, 9 loafing ring-billed gulls, 4 loafing California gulls, and some loafing American white pelicans also observed on island; at least one adult Caspian terns previously banded at East Sand Island observed on the island
5/7 – 5/13/12 ›
High count of 376 Caspian terns with 6 active nests containing eggs on the Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; 45 loafing gulls, 8 loafing double-crested cormorants (near social attraction plot), and 7 loafing American white pelicans also observed on island
5/7 - 5/13/12 ›
Survey of piscivorous colonial waterbirds nesting on Pelican Lake island, Warner Valley, Oregon; minimum counts of 248 American white pelicans with 48 active nests, 225 gulls, 33 great egrets, 27 great blue herons, 21 Canada geese, and 18 double-crested cormorants observed on island
Weekly Update for 4/30 – 5/6/2012
5/3/12 ›
First Caspian tern eggs observed on Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR; first egg date was likely Tuesday (5/1)
5/3/12 ›
High count of 18 loafing Caspian terns on the East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; 368 ring-billed gulls and one loafing double-crested cormorant also observed on island
5/2/12 ›
High count of one loafing Caspian tern on the Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; 3 loafing ring-billed gulls also observed on island
5/2/12 ›
High count of 12 loafing Caspian terns on the Dutchy Lake tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; 33 loafing black-crowned night-herons, 3 loafing double-crested cormorants, and 2 loafing gulls also observed on island
4/30 – 5/6/12 ›
High count of 83 loafing Caspian terns on Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; ca. 1,550 nesting gulls (mixed colony of ring-billed gulls and California gulls), 9 loafing white-faced ibises, and 2 nesting Canada geese (with 2 goslings) also observed on island
4/30 – 5/6/12 ›
High count of 29 loafing Caspian terns on the Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; ca. 1,000 nesting gulls (mixed colony of ring-billed gulls and California gulls) also observed on island
4/30 – 5/6/12 ›
High count of 66 loafing Caspian terns on the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; 41 loafing double-crested cormorants, 40 loafing ring-billed gulls, 15 loafing American white pelicans, 2 loafing American avocets, and 2 nesting killdeer (one active nest) also observed on island
4/30 – 5/6/12 ›
High count of 141 Caspian terns (some nesting) on the Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; 8 loafing double-crested cormorants (near social attraction plot) and 30 loafing gulls also observed on island
4/30 - 5/6/12 ›
Survey of piscivorous waterbird colonies on Pelican Lake island, Warner Valley, Oregon; high count of 158 American white pelicans, 155 gulls, 23 great blue herons, 20 great egrets, 13 Canada geese, and 8 double-crested cormorants observed on island
Weekly Update for 4/23 – 4/29/2012
4/28/12 ›
Survey of Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley, Oregon; first Caspian terns (112) observed on island; some terns were copulating and digging nest scrapes; ca. 1,000 gulls (mostly ring-billed gulls) also beginning to nest on island
4/28/12 ›
First visit to Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; Caspian tern decoys, audio playback systems, and video monitoring system installed on island; first Caspian terns (30) seen on island; preparations for monitoring tern use on Tule Lake tern island completed
4/27 – 4/28/12 ›
Researchers visited Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; Caspian tern decoys and audio playback systems installed; pre-laying gulls passively and actively dissuaded from nesting on part of island so that Caspian terns, whose nesting chronology is later compared to gulls, would have space to nest on the island once terns initiated nesting; tarps were draped over teepee-like structures to prevent gull nesting on a portion of the island designated for tern nesting; as many as 36 Caspian terns and 1,200 gulls (mostly ring-billed gulls) were counted on the island this past week
4/27/12 ›
Survey of East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; 4 Caspian terns, one double-crested cormorant, and a number of gulls present on island
4/23 – 4/29/12 ›
Review of video footage taken at the Malheur Lake tern island in Malheur NWR, Oregon revealed as many as 112 Caspian terns on the island this past week; courtship feeding, copulation, and nest scrape digging all apparent
WEEKLY Update FOR 4/16 – 4/22/2012
4/21 – 4/22/12 ›
First visit to East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area on 21 April; Caspian tern decoys and audio playback systems installed on island; first Caspian terns (4) seen on island on 22 April
4/21 – 4/22/12 ›
First visit to Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area on 21 April; Caspian tern decoys, audio playback systems, and video monitoring system installed on island; review of video footage revealed use of the island by gulls (10) and Caspian terns (2) by week's end; we thank JIm Beal, USACE contractor, for his help in repairing the observation blind on the island
4/21/12 ›
First visit to Dutchy Lake floating tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; social attraction (i.e., tern decoys and audio playback systems) will not be deployed at the Dutchy Lake tern island and limited monitoring will be conducted at this site in 2012; two American white pelicans were only birds seen on the island during this visit
4/18 – 4/22/12 ›
First visit to Malheur Lake tern island, Malheur NWR on 18 April (island constructed during the winter of 2012 for nesting Caspian terns and other colonial waterbirds); Caspian tern decoys, audio playback systems, and a video monitoring system installed on island; double-crested cormorant decoys and tires filled with nesting material also placed on the island; first Caspian terns (2) seen on island on 18 April and, based on review of video footage, as many as 30 terns counted on-colony by week's end; Linda Beck, Fisheries Biologist with the USFWS, visited the island during this visit
4/18/12 ›
Researchers visited the Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; actively dissuaded gulls from nesting so that Caspian terns, whose nest chronology is somewhat delayed compared to gulls, would have space to nest on the island; 21 Caspian terns, 255 ring-billed gulls, and 218 California gulls were counted on the island, none of which had initiated nesting
4/18/12 ›
Seasonal field crew began work at Malheur NWR
4/17/12 ›
Seasonal field crews began work at Summer Lake Wildlife Area, OR and at Crump Lake, Warner Valley, OR
4/17/12 ›
Attempted first visit to Crump Lake tern island, Warner Valley; boat problems prevented researchers from accessing the island; using binoculars, gulls were only birds observed on the island; as was the case during the 2010 and 2011 breeding seasons, social attraction (i.e., tern decoys and audio playback systems) will not be deployed at the Crump Lake tern island in 2012
4/16/12 ›
Seasonal field crew began work at Lower Klamath NWR and Tule Lake NWR
4/16/12 ›
First visit to Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR; 23 Caspian terns and ca. 1,200 gulls counted on island, neither gulls nor terns were nesting (no nest structures or scrapes); numerous dead gulls were discovered on the island, at least one was likely killed by a great horned owl; tarps that were deployed in previous weeks to prevent gulls from nesting on part of the island before Caspian terns began nesting were ineffective; a modified tarp design will be deployed on the island in the coming week
Update FOR 3/27 – 4/15/2012
3/27/12 ›
First visit to Fern Ridge tern island near Eugene, Oregon; Caspian tern decoys and audio playback systems installed on island
