WEEKLY Update FOR 8/31 – 9/6/2015
9/6/15 ›
This completes our regular weekly reporting of field research activities in Interior Oregon and Northeastern California for 2015
8/31 – 9/6/15 ›
High counts during the week of 33 adult Caspian terns and 14 tern chicks on Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; high counts of 9 loafing ring-billed gulls also observed on the island
9/4/15 ›
No Caspian terns were observed on the Sheepy Lake tern island in Lower Klamath NWR, California; 13 American white pelicans (1 adult and 12 fledglings) and one double-crested cormorant observed on the island
WEEKLY Update FOR 8/24 – 8/30/2015
8/24 – 8/30/15 ›
High counts during the week of 91 adult Caspian terns and 32 tern chicks on Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; high counts of 4 loafing ring-billed gulls also observed on the island
8/24 – 8/30/15 ›
Colony monitoring at Corps-constructed tern islands at Malheur NWR and Summer Lake WA (East Link and Gold Dike impoundments) completed for the 2015 breeding season; all equipment and supplies removed from the 3 islands
8/24 – 8/30/15 ›
Corps-constructed tern island in Sheepy Lake, Lower Klamath NWR, was not visited this week
WEEKLY Update FOR 8/17 – 8/23/2015
8/17 – 8/23/15 ›
High counts during the week of 180 adult Caspian terns, 3 attended and active tern nests, and 60 tern chicks on Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; high counts of 17 loafing ring-billed gulls and 5 loafing California gulls also observed on the island
8/18/15 ›
Ca. 50 adult Caspian terns and 3 tern chicks counted on the Sheepy Lake tern island in Lower Klamath NWR, California; ca. 80 American white pelicans (adults and chicks), ca. 200 gulls (adults and chicks), and one double-crested cormorant also observed on the island; water levels in Sheepy Lake are so low that the tern island can not be accessed by boat; despite low water levels, mammalian predators have so far not reached the island and caused complete nesting failure
8/23/15 ›
No Caspian terns were observed on the Malheur Lake new tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; all nesting attempts by Caspian terns on the Malheur Lake new tern island failed during the 2015 breeding season, presumably caused by nighttime visits to the island and nest predation by raccoons (raccoon tracks and scat found on the island) and possibly other mammalian predators; water levels in Malheur Lake are so low that mammalian predators (raccoons and coyotes) have easy access to the island
8/17 – 8/23/15 ›
No Caspian terns or gulls were observed this week on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; Caspian terns were successful in raising young to fledging at the East Link tern colony in 2015
8/17 – 8/23/15 ›
No Caspian terns or gulls were observed this week on Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; previous nesting attempts by ring-billed gulls on the island this season were not successful; no evidence of Caspian tern nesting attempts on the island in 2015
WEEKLY Update FOR 8/10 – 8/16/2015
8/10 – 8/16/15 ›
High counts during the week of 179 adult Caspian terns, 7 attended and active tern nests, and 69 tern chicks on Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; high counts of 11 loafing ring-billed gulls and 9 loafing California gulls also observed on the island
8/10 – 8/16/15 ›
Due to low water levels that prevent access by boat, the Sheepy Lake tern island in Lower Klamath NWR, California was not visited this week
8/10 – 8/16/15 ›
High count during the week of 4 loafing Caspian terns on the Malheur Lake new tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; all nesting attempts by Caspian terns on the Malheur Lake new tern island failed during the 2015 breeding season; the tern colony failed the week of 7/19, presumably caused by nighttime visits to the island and nest predation by raccoons (raccoon tracks and scat found on the island); water levels in Malheur Lake are so low that mammalian predators (raccoons and coyotes) have easy access to the island
8/10 – 8/16/15 ›
High count during the week of 2 loafing Caspian terns on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon
8/10 – 8/16/15 ›
No Caspian terns were observed this week on Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; previous nesting attempts this season by ring-billed gulls on the island have failed; no evidence of Caspian tern nesting attempts on the island in 2015
WEEKLY Update FOR 8/3 – 8/9/2015
8/3 – 8/9/15 ›
High counts during the week of 343 adult Caspian terns, 21 attended and active tern nests, and 98 tern chicks on Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; high counts of 32 loafing ring-billed gulls and 5 loafing California gulls also observed on the island
8/3 – 8/9/15 ›
Due to low water levels the prevent access by boat, the Sheepy Lake tern island in Lower Klamath NWR, California was not visited this week
8/3 – 8/9/15 ›
All nesting attempts by Caspian terns on the Malheur Lake new tern island (Malheur NWR, Oregon) failed during the 2015 breeding season; the tern colony failed the week of 7/19, presumably caused by nighttime visits to the island and nest predation by raccoons (raccoon tracks and scat found on island); water levels in Malheur Lake are so low that mammalian predators (raccoons and coyotes) have easy access to the island
8/3 – 8/9/15 ›
High counts during the week of 8 adult Caspian terns, 0 attended and active tern nest, and 1 tern chick on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; 4 ring-billed gulls (chicks) and 2 California gulls (1 adult and 1 chick) also observed on the island
8/3 – 8/9/15 ›
No Caspian terns were observed this week on Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; previous nesting attempts this season by ring-billed gulls on the island have failed; no evidence of Caspian tern nesting attempts on the island in 2015
8/8/15 ›
95 Caspian tern chicks captured and banded on Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California
WEEKLY Update FOR 7/27 – 8/2/2015
7/27 – 8/2/15 ›
High counts during the week of 277 adult Caspian terns, 41 attended and active tern nests, and 122 tern chicks on Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; high counts of 97 ring-billed gulls (0 attended nests and 18 chicks) and 3 loafing California gulls also observed on the island
7/27 – 8/2/15 ›
High counts during the week of 35 adult Caspian terns and 41 tern chicks on the Sheepy Lake tern island in Lower Klamath NWR, California; high counts of 106 American white pelicans (adults and chicks), 54 double-crested cormorants (adults and chicks), and ca. 1,500 gulls (adults and chicks) also observed on the island
7/27 – 8/2/15 ›
All nesting attempts by Caspian terns on the Malheur Lake new tern island (Malheur NWR, Oregon) failed during the 2015 breeding season; the tern colony failed the week of 7/19, presumably caused by nighttime visits to the island and nest predation by raccoons (raccoon tracks and scat found on the island); water levels in Malheur Lake are so low that mammalian predators (raccoons and coyotes) have easy access to the island
7/27 – 8/2/15 ›
High counts during the week of 51 adult Caspian terns, 1 attended and active tern nest, and 8 tern chicks on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; high counts of 17 ring-billed gulls (0 attended nests and 38 chicks) and 40 California gulls (0 attended nests and 16 chicks) also observed on the island
7/27 – 8/2/15 ›
No Caspian terns were observed this week on Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; previous nesting attempts this season by ring-billed gulls on the island have failed; no evidence of Caspian tern nesting attempts on the island in 2015
8/1/15 ›
An aerial photo survey was conducted at the Corps-constructed tern islands in southeastern Oregon and northeastern California
WEEKLY Update FOR 7/20 – 7/26/2015
7/20 – 7/26/15 ›
High counts during the week of 350 Caspian terns, 65 attended tern nests, and 118 tern chicks on Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; high counts of 256 ring-billed gulls (1 attended nest and 16 chicks) and 2 loafing California gulls also observed on the island
7/20 – 7/26/15 ›
Due to low water levels, the Sheepy Lake tern island in Lower Klamath NWR, California was not visited this week
7/20 – 7/26/15 ›
High count during the week of 10 roosting Caspian terns on the Malheur Lake new tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; the tern colony failed the previous week (7/19), presumably caused by a nighttime visit to the island and nest predation by a raccoon (raccoon tracks and scat found on island); water level in Malheur Lake has dropped to the point that mammalian predators (raccoons and coyotes) have easy access to the island; less than 40 gulls observed roosting on island, mostly fledglings
7/20 – 7/26/15 ›
High counts during the week of 46 Caspian terns, 1 attended tern nest, and 13 tern chicks on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; high counts of 17 ring-billed gulls (0 attended nests and 68 chicks) and 20 California gulls (0 attended nests and 10 chicks) also observed on the island
7/20 – 7/26/15 ›
No Caspian terns were observed this week on Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; previous nesting attempts by ring-billed gulls on the island had failed; no evidence so far this season of Caspian terns nesting on the island
WEEKLY Update FOR 7/13 – 7/19/2015
7/13 – 7/19/15 ›
High counts during the week of 457 Caspian terns, 177 attended tern nests, and 160 tern chicks on Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; high counts of 207 ring-billed gulls (3 attended nests and 12 chicks) and 2 loafing California gulls also observed on the island
7/13 – 7/19/15 ›
Due to low water levels, the Sheepy Lake tern island in Lower Klamath NWR, California was not visited this week
7/13 – 7/19/15 ›
High counts during the week of 87 Caspian terns, 20 attended tern nests, and 14 tern chicks on the Malheur Lake new tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; late in the week (7/19) no tern chicks or active tern nests remained on the island, presumably caused by a nighttime visit to the island and nest predation by a raccoon (raccoon tracks and scat found on island); water level in Malheur Lake has dropped to the point that mammalian predators now have access to the island; high counts of ca. 400 adult ring-billed gulls (at least 137 chicks) and ca. 110 adult California gulls (at least 17 chicks) also observed on Malheur Lake new tern island
7/13 – 7/19/15 ›
High counts during the week of 62 Caspian terns, 5 attended tern nests, and 16 tern chicks on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; high counts of 182 ring-billed gulls (5 attended nests and 159 chicks), 148 California gulls (0 attended nests and 39 chicks), and 43 loafing double-crested cormorants also observed on the island
7/13 – 7/19/15 ›
No Caspian terns were observed this week on Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; previous nesting attempts by ring-billed gulls on the island had failed; no evidence so far this season of Caspian terns nesting on the island
7/19/15 ›
First Caspian tern fledglings (2) observed on the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California
WEEKLY Update FOR 7/6 – 7/12/2015
7/6 – 7/12/15 ›
High counts during the week of 564 Caspian terns, 430 attended tern nests, and 381 tern chicks on Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; combination of hot weather followed by severe thunderstorms, cooler temperatures, and heavy rain caused significant Caspian tern nest failure at the colony this week; high counts of 103 ring-billed gulls (7 attended nests and 29 chicks) and 4 American avocets (2 attended nests with 6 chicks) also observed on the island
7/6 – 7/12/15 ›
Due to low water levels, the Sheepy Lake tern island in Lower Klamath NWR, California was not visited this week
7/6 – 7/12/15 ›
High counts during the week of 97 Caspian terns, 49 attended tern nests, and 20 tern chicks on the Malheur Lake new tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; severe wind and rain storms cause significant tern nest failure at the colony this week; water level in Malheur Lake continued to drop to the point where mammalian predators may soon have access to the island; fresh raccoon tracks were seen within 150 feet of the island; high counts of ca. 470 ring-billed gulls (at least 23 attended nests and 175 chicks) and ca. 125 California gulls (at least 10 attended nests and 46 chicks) also observed on Malheur Lake new tern island
7/6 – 7/12/15 ›
High counts during the week of 39 Caspian terns, 12 attended tern nests, and 18 tern chicks on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; high counts of 171 ring-billed gulls (24 attended nests and 147 chicks) and 134 California gulls (8 attended nests and 64 chicks) also observed on the island
7/6 – 7/12/15 ›
No Caspian terns were observed this week on Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; previous nesting attempts by ring-billed gulls on the island had failed; no evidence so far this season of Caspian terns nesting on the island
7/10/15 ›
First Caspian tern fledglings (3) observed on the East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon
7/10/15 ›
Crump Lake tern island in Warner Valley was visited to determine if any Caspian terns or other colonial waterbirds were nesting on the island; the island is completely land-bridged and accessible to mammalian predators; the island had been completely abandoned by nesting birds with the exception of one half-grown American white pelican chick that was hiding under the observation blind; 2-5 abandoned Caspian tern nests found, one containing a broken tern egg; many dead gull chicks (150-200), a few dead double-crested cormorant chicks, eight abandoned cormorant nests, and one abandoned great blue heron nest found on island; a few gull chicks may have fledged before the colony failed, and the lone pelican chick may survive, but otherwise all nesting attempts by colonial waterbirds on Crump Lake tern island in 2015 have failed
WEEKLY Update FOR 6/29 – 7/5/2015
6/29 – 7/5/15 ›
High count during the week of 622 Caspian terns, 533 attended tern nests, and 373 tern chicks on Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; high counts of 116 ring-billed gulls (37 attended nests and 20 chicks) and 6 American avocets (6 attended nests) also observed on the island
6/29 – 7/5/15 ›
Due to low water levels, the Sheepy Lake tern island in Lower Klamath NWR, California was not visited this week
6/29 – 7/5/15 ›
High count during the week of 175 Caspian terns, 79 attended tern nests, and 37 tern chicks on the Malheur Lake new tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; high counts of ca. 1,310 ring-billed gulls (at least 10 attended nests and 373 chicks) and ca. 435 California gulls (at least 14 attended nests and 114 chicks) also observed on Malheur Lake new tern island; due to low lake levels, the colony monitors must access the island on foot; there appeared to be an increase in Caspian tern colony attendance and chick feeds by adults this week compared to the previous two weeks
6/29 – 7/5/15 ›
High count during the week of 30 Caspian terns, 21 attended tern nests, and 22 tern chicks on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; high counts of 550 ring-billed gulls (77 attended nests and 286 chicks) and 100 California gulls (22 attended nests and 61 chicks) also observed on the island
6/29 – 7/5/15 ›
No Caspian terns or gulls were observed this week on Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; previous nesting attempts by ring-billed gulls on the island had failed; no evidence so far this season of Caspian terns nesting on the island
WEEKLY Update FOR 6/22 – 6/28/2015
6/22 – 6/28/15 ›
High count during the week of 808 Caspian terns, 549 tern nests, and 199 tern chicks on Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; high counts of 168 ring-billed gulls (36 attended nests and 18 chicks), 13 California gulls (0 attended nest), and 7 American avocets (7 attended nests and 3 chicks) also observed on the island
6/22 – 6/28/15 ›
Due to low water levels, the Sheepy Lake tern island in Lower Klamath NWR, California was not visited this past week
6/22 – 6/28/15 ›
High count during the week of 250 Caspian terns and 120 attended Caspian tern nests, most with eggs and a few with chicks, on the Malheur Lake new tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; high counts of ca. 1,190 ring-billed gulls (at least 787 active nests with chicks), ca. 670 California gulls (at least 46 active nests with chicks), 2 killdeer (1 active nest with chicks), 375 loafing Franklin’s gulls, 49 loafing American white pelicans, 6 loafing double-crested cormorants, and one loafing Canada goose also observed on Malheur Lake new tern island; water levels in Malheur Lake continued to drop this past week, requiring monitors to access the island on foot; there continues to be a noticeable reduction in the time spent on colony by nesting adult Caspian terns the past two weeks relative to weeks prior, perhaps due to nesting adults having to travel further for food or having abandoned their nests due to lack of food or other factors related to the low water levels in Malheur Lake; the reduction in colony attendance has led to significant nest failure of unattended Caspian tern nests this past week, with up to 16 Caspian tern eggs being depredated by gulls at unattended tern nests
6/22 – 6/28/15 ›
High count during the week of 239 Caspian terns, 25 attended tern nests, and 26 tern chicks on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; high counts of 1,060 ring-billed gulls (152 attended nests and 448 chicks) and 164 California gulls (24 attended nests and 62 chicks) also observed on the island
6/22 – 6/28/15 ›
No Caspian terns or gulls were observed this week on Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; a pair of killdeer hatched four chicks on the Gold Dike tern island; previous nesting attempts by ring-billed gulls on the island had failed; no evidence so far this season of Caspian terns nesting on the island
WEEKLY Update FOR 6/15 – 6/21/2015
6/15 – 6/21/15 ›
High count during the week of 929 Caspian terns and 544 attended Caspian tern nests, most with eggs and a few with chicks, on Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; the size of the Caspian tern breeding colony on Tule Lake tern island continues to grow, and is now larger than previously recorded at any time since the island was built in 2010; two Caspian terns that were satellite-tagged earlier this season on Goose Island-Potholes Reservoir were observed loafing and one Caspian tern that was satellite-tagged earlier this season on Crescent Island was observed nesting on the island this week; high counts of 197 ring-billed gulls (115 attended nests), 2 California gulls (1 attended nest), and 11 American avocets (11 attended nests) also observed on the island
6/15 – 6/21/15 ›
High count during the week of 374 Caspian terns and 234 attended Caspian tern nests, most confirmed with either eggs or chicks, on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; high counts of 55 adult American white pelicans (15 attended nests with eggs or young chicks, about 100 older chicks in creches), 135 adult double-crested cormorants (39 attended nests with eggs or young chicks, about 110 older chicks in crèches, some nearly old enough to fledge), ca. 1,800 nesting ring-billed gulls (90% with chicks), and ca. 550 nesting California gulls (80% with chicks) also observed on the island; due to rapidly receding water levels in Sheepy Lake, which limits boat access to the island, this will likely be our last visit to the Sheepy Lake tern island during the 2015 nesting season
6/15 – 6/21/15 ›
High count during the week of 358 Caspian terns and 166 attended Caspian tern nests, most with eggs and a few with chicks, on the Malheur Lake new tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; high counts of ca. 1,390 ring-billed gulls (at least 157 active nests), ca. 510 California gulls (at least 29 active nests), 2 killdeer (1 active nest), 10 loafing American white pelicans, and 6 loafing double-crested cormorants also observed on Malheur Lake new tern island; water levels in Malheur Lake are at the lowest observed so far this season, requiring monitors to access the island on foot; there has been a noticeable reduction in the time spent on colony by nesting adult Caspian terns this week relative to previous weeks, perhaps due to nesting adults having to travel further for food or having abandoned their nests due to lack of food or other factors related to the low water levels in Malheur Lake; the reduction in colony attendance has led to significant nest failure of unattended Caspian tern nests this past week, with up to 14 Caspian tern eggs being depredated by gulls at unattended tern nests
6/15 – 6/21/15 ›
High count during the week of 39 Caspian terns and 26 attended Caspian tern nests with eggs or young chicks on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; high counts of 1,383 ring-billed gulls (707 attended nests with eggs or young chicks) and 130 California gulls (92 attended nests with eggs or young chicks) also observed on the island
6/15 – 6/21/15 ›
No Caspian terns were observed this week on Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; high count of one ring-billed gull and one attended ring-billed gull nest observed on the island (nest was abandoned later in the week); no evidence so far this season of Caspian terns nesting on the island
WEEKLY Update FOR 6/8 – 6/14/2015
6/8 – 6/14/15 ›
High count during the week of 902 Caspian terns and 528 attended Caspian tern nests, most with eggs and a few with chicks, on Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; one Caspian tern that was satellite-tagged earlier this season on Goose Island-Potholes Reservoir was observed loafing on the island this week; high counts of ca. 205 ring-billed gulls (127 attended nests), 8 California gulls (3 attended nests), and 13 American avocets (10 attended nests) also observed on the island
6/8 – 6/14/15 ›
High count during the week of 370 Caspian terns and 254 attended Caspian tern nests, most confirmed with either eggs or chicks, on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; high counts of 146 American white pelicans (102 attended nests with eggs or chicks), 81 double-crested cormorants (67 attended nests with eggs or chicks), ca. 2,200 nesting ring-billed gulls, and ca. 800 nesting California gulls also observed on the island
6/8 – 6/14/15 ›
High count during the week of 315 Caspian terns and 132 attended Caspian tern nests, most with eggs and a few with chicks, on the Malheur Lake new tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; one Caspian tern that was satellite-tagged earlier this season on Goose Island-Potholes Reservoir was observed loafing on the island this week; high counts of 843 ring-billed gulls (at least 124 active nests), 173 California gulls (at least 43 active nests), 2 killdeer (1 active nest), 298 loafing American white pelican, and 19 loafing double-crested cormorants also observed on Malheur Lake new tern island; the Caspian tern colony on Malheur Lake new tern island is smaller and the ring-billed gull colony is larger than this time last year
6/8 – 6/14/15 ›
High count during the week of 48 Caspian terns and 28 attended Caspian tern nests with eggs or young chicks on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; high counts of ca. 1,575 ring-billed gulls (ca. 1,060 attended nests with eggs or young chicks) and 138 California gulls (ca. 71 attended nests with eggs or young chicks) also observed on the island
6/8 – 6/14/15 ›
No Caspian terns were observed on Gold Dike tern island (Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon) this week; high count of 6 ring-billed gulls and 5 attended ring-billed gull nests observed on the island; no evidence so far this season of Caspian terns nesting on the island
6/12/15 ›
First Caspian tern chick observed on the Malheur Lake new tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon
6/10/15›
High resolution vertical aerial photography was taken of the 7 Corps-constructed tern islands (i.e., Sheepy Lake, Tule Lake Sump 1B, Malheur Lake, East Link Impoundment, Gold Dike impoundment, Orems Unit, and Crump Lake); counts of aerial photography later in the season will allow us to more accurately estimate the number of nesting piscivorous waterbirds and the area of nesting habitat used at each of these Corps-constructed islands
6/8 - 6/9/15 ›
Aerial photo survey was conducted at the Corps-constructed tern islands in southeastern Oregon and northeastern California; Caspian terns were observed nesting at 4 of the 7 Corps-constructed tern islands (i.e., Sheepy Lake, Tule Lake Sump 1B, Malheur Lake, and East Link Impoundment); 8 Caspian terns were photographed on the Crump Lake tern island, and 4 appeared to be sitting on nests; Crump Lake tern island is nearly land-bridged due to the on-going drought in the region, and Caspian terns were not expected to nest on the island this season; no Caspian terns were observed on the Orems Unit and Gold Dike tern islands during the aerial survey; the Orems Unit in Lower Klamath NWR was not watered this season due to the on-going drought in the region, so the Corp-constructed island in Orems Unit is currently not an island
WEEKLY Update FOR 6/1 – 6/7/2015
6/1 – 6/7/15 ›
High count during the week of 851 Caspian terns and 483 attended Caspian tern nests, most with eggs and a few with chicks, on Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; one Caspian tern that was satellite-tagged earlier this season on Goose Island-Potholes Reservoir was observed loafing on the island this week; high counts of ca. 190 ring-billed gulls (109 attended nests), 17 California gulls (6 attended nests), and 8 American avocets (5 attended nests) also observed on the island
6/1 – 6/7/15 ›
High count during the week of 377 Caspian terns and 285 attended Caspian tern nests, most confirmed with either eggs or chicks, on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California; high counts of 167 American white pelicans (119 attended nests with eggs or chicks), 108 double-crested cormorants (71 attended nests with eggs or chicks), ca. 2,700 ring-billed gulls (ca. 2,200 attended nests with eggs or chicks), and ca. 875 California gulls (ca. 650 attended nests with eggs or chicks) also observed on the island
6/1 – 6/7/15 ›
High count during the week of 310 Caspian terns and 100 attended Caspian tern nests (some with eggs) on the Malheur Lake new tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; one Caspian tern that was satellite-tagged earlier this season on Goose Island-Potholes Reservoir was observed loafing on the island this week; high counts of 738 ring-billed gulls (at least 215 active nests), 153 California gulls (at least 48 active nests), 2 killdeer (1 active nest), and one loafing American white pelican also observed on Malheur Lake new tern island; the Caspian tern colony on Malheur Lake new tern island is smaller and the ring-billed gull colony is larger than this time last year
6/1 – 6/7/15 ›
High count during the week of 38 Caspian terns and 26 attended Caspian tern nests with eggs or young chicks on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; high counts of ca. 1,490 ring-billed gulls (ca. 1,250 attended nests with eggs or young chicks), 165 California gulls (ca. 140 attended nests with eggs or young chicks), and one loafing double-crested cormorant also observed on the island
6/1 – 6/7/15 ›
One Caspian tern was observed on Gold Dike tern island (Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon) this past week; high count of 26 ring-billed gulls and 3 attended ring-billed gull nests observed on the island; no evidence so far this season of Caspian terns nesting on the island
6/1/15 ›
First Caspian tern chick observed on Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California
WEEKLY Update FOR 5/25 – 5/31/2015
5/25 – 5/31/15 ›
High count during the week of 817 Caspian terns and 233 attended Caspian tern nests, most with eggs, on Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; two Caspian terns that were satellite-tagged earlier this season, one on Goose Island-Potholes Reservoir and the other at Crescent Island, were observed on the island this week; high counts of ca. 145 ring-billed gulls (101 attended nests), 13 California gulls (6 attended nests), and 10 American avocets (5 attended nests) also observed on the island
5/25 – 5/31/15 ›
High count during the week of 212 Caspian terns and 39 attended Caspian tern nests (some with eggs) on the Malheur Lake new tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; high counts of 485 ring-billed gulls (at least 234 active nests), 79 California gulls (at least 33 active nests), and 2 killdeer (1 active nest) also observed on Malheur Lake new tern island; the Caspian tern colony on Malheur Lake new tern island is smaller and the ring-billed gull colony is larger than this time last year
5/25 – 5/31/15 ›
High count during the week of 47 Caspian terns and 19 attended Caspian tern nests with eggs or young chicks on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; high counts of ca. 1,210 ring-billed gulls (ca. 870 attended nests with eggs or young chicks) and 140 California gulls (ca. 90 attended nests with eggs or young chicks) also observed on the island
5/25 – 5/31/15 ›
No Caspian terns were observed on Gold Dike tern island (Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon) this past week; high count of 33 ring-billed gulls and 3 attended ring-billed gull nests observed on the island; no evidence so far this season of Caspian terns nesting on the island
5/30/15 ›
First Caspian tern chicks (2) observed on Sheepy Lake tern island, Lower Klamath NWR, California
5/29/15 ›
First Caspian tern chicks (2) observed on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon
5/25/15 ›
First ring-billed gull chicks observed on Malheur Lake new tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon
WEEKLY Update FOR 5/18 – 5/24/2015
5/18 – 5/24/15 ›
High count during the week of 588 Caspian terns and 95 attended Caspian tern nests, most with eggs, on Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; one satellite-tagged Caspian tern that was tagged earlier this season on Goose Island-Potholes Reservoir in the Columbia Plateau region of eastern Washington was observed loafing on the island this week; high counts of ca. 185 ring-billed gulls (10 attended nests), 44 California gulls (no attended nests), 4 double-crested cormorants (loafing), and 1 American white pelican (loafing) also observed on the island
5/18 – 5/24/15 ›
High count during the week of 92 Caspian terns and 17 attended Caspian tern nests (some with eggs) on the Malheur Lake new tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; high counts of 430 ring-billed gulls (201 attended nests with eggs or chicks), 69 California gulls (39 attended nests with eggs or chicks), and 16 American white pelicans (loafing) also observed on the island
5/18 – 5/24/15 ›
High count during the week of 20 Caspian terns and 11 attended Caspian tern nests with eggs on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; high counts of ca. 1,450 ring-billed gulls (ca. 1,060 attended nests with eggs) and 160 California gulls (ca. 123 attended nests with eggs) also observed on the island
5/18 – 5/24/15 ›
No Caspian terns were observed on Gold Dike tern island (Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon) this past week; high count of 12 ring-billed gulls observed loafing on the island; no evidence so far this season of either Caspian terns or ring-billed gulls nesting on the island
5/18/15 ›
Aerial photo survey was conducted at the Corps-constructed tern islands in southeastern Oregon and northeastern California; Caspian terns observed nesting at 4 of the 7 Corps-constructed tern islands (i.e., Sheepy Lake, Tule Lake Sump 1B, Malheur Lake, and East Link Impoundment); small number of terns observed loafing at the Crump Lake tern island; no terns observed on the Orems Unit and Gold Dike tern islands during the aerial survey
WEEKLY Update FOR 5/11 – 5/17/2015
5/11 – 5/17/15 ›
High count during the week of 428 Caspian terns and 51 attended Caspian tern nests, most with eggs, on the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; high counts of 134 gulls (mostly ring-billed gulls), 7 double-crested cormorants, and 3 American white pelicans also observed on the island; Caspian terns and gulls are attending nests with eggs; evidence of predation on nesting Caspian terns by a great horned owl detected on Tule Lake tern island
5/11 – 5/17/15 ›
Corps-constructed tern island on Malheur Lake in Malheur NWR, Oregon was not visited this week
5/11 – 5/17/15 ›
Corps-constructed tern islands in East Link and Gold Dike impoundments in Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon were not visited this week
WEEKLY Update FOR 5/4 – 5/10/2015
5/4 – 5/10/15 ›
High count during the week of 408 Caspian terns and 17 attended Caspian tern nests, most with eggs, on the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; one satellite-tagged Caspian tern that was tagged at Goose Island-Potholes Reservoir earlier this season was observed digging a nest scrape on the island this week; high count of 40 gulls (mostly ring-billed gulls) also observed on the island; Caspian terns and gulls are attending nests with eggs
5/4 – 5/10/15 ›
High count during the week of 27 Caspian terns and one attended tern nest with two eggs on the Malheur Lake new tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; one satellite-tagged Caspian tern that was tagged at Goose Island-Potholes Reservoir earlier this season was observed loafing on the island this week; a high count of 160 gulls (about 90% ring-billed gulls and 10% California gulls) also observed on the island; terns and gulls are attending nests with eggs
5/4 – 5/10/15 ›
High count during the week of 19 Caspian terns and 5 attended Caspian tern nests with eggs on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; high counts of 900 nesting ring-billed gulls and 140 nesting California gulls also observed on the island; terns and gulls are attending nests with eggs
5/4 – 5/10/15 ›
High count during the week of one Caspian tern on Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon; high count of five ring-billed gulls also observed on the island; no evidence so far of either Caspian terns or ring-billed gulls nesting on the island
5/9/15 ›
First Caspian tern eggs (6) observed on Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California this season
5/7/15 ›
First Caspian tern eggs (5) observed on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area, Oregon this season
5/6/15 ›
First Caspian tern eggs (2) observed on Malheur Lake new tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon this season; egg was subsequently depredated by a California gull
WEEKLY Update FOR 4/27 – 5/3/2015
4/30/15 ›
First visit to the Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California this season; completed colony site preparations, including deploying Caspian tern decoys and audio playback systems, installing shade structures, laying out colony grids, installing bird-be-gone and netting on elevated structures to prevent avian predators from using them as perches
4/30/15 ›
First Caspian terns observed by the field crew this year on Tule Lake tern island in Sump 1B, Tule Lake NWR, California; 74 Caspian terns counted loafing on the island; 25 double-crested cormorants and 50 gulls also observed loafing on the island
4/29/15 ›
First visit to Gold Dike tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area this season; completed colony site preparations, including clearing tumbleweed from the island, deploying Caspian tern decoys and audio playback systems, installing shade structures, laying out colony grids, installing bird-be-gone and netting on elevated structures to prevent avian predators from using them as perches; no birds observed on the island
4/28 – 4/29/15 ›
First visits to East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area this season; completed colony site preparations, including deploying Caspian tern decoys and audio playback systems, installing shade structures, laying out colony grids, installing bird-be-gone and netting on the blind and elevated structures to prevent avian predators from using them as perches
4/28/15 ›
First Caspian terns observed by our field crew this year on Malheur Lake new tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon; 97 Caspian terns observed engaged in pre-nesting behaviors (e.g., digging nest scrapes); 600-700 gulls, mostly ring-billed gulls, observed on the island, some attending nests with eggs
4/28/15 ›
First Caspian terns observed by our field crew this year on East Link tern island, Summer Lake Wildlife Area; 18 terns observed engaged in pre-nesting behaviors (e.g., digging nest scrapes); 2,000-2,500 gulls (both ring-billed and California gulls) observed on the island, most attending nests with eggs
4/27 - 4/28/15 ›
First visits to Malheur Lake new tern island, Malheur NWR, Oregon this season; completed colony site preparations, including deploying Caspian tern decoys and audio playback systems, installing shade structures, laying out colony grids, and installing bird-be-gone and netting on elevated structures to prevent avian predators from using them as perches
