Audubon protects Least Terns at Lea Island by posting signs and roping off nesting areas on the beach, ensuring the birds have a future in North Carolina. Sibley, D. A. The Least Tern has two big problems. The North American Waterbird Conservation Plan estimates a continental population of 60,000-100,000 breeding birds, and lists it as a Species of High Concern. What began as a small colony has grown into one of the largest nesting areas for the least tern east of the Mississippi River. Get Instant ID help for 650+ North American birds. The national seashore closes areas around nests because interference with the nest can cause adult birds to abandon their nests and leave eggs unprotected from predators. Link (2017). Nesting in small colonies, least tern nests are shallow depressions scraped in open sandy areas, gravelly patches, or exposed flats. Habitat loss and lack of undisturbed nest sites are two of the primary factors jeopardizing populations of piping plovers and least terns. Lea Island is part of the Lea-Hutaff Island complex, a 5,641-acre undeveloped barrier island and marsh system that remains largely undisturbed by development, dredged sand and off-road vehicles. “Without posting to minimize human disturbance, this colony would not be successful. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, NY, USA. Least Terns, the smallest of North American terns, are very similar in plumage to at least 7 other species of small terns from other parts of the world (Thompson et al. Least Tern are widespread and common in places, but its favored nesting habitat is prized for human recreation, residential development, and alteration by water diversion, which interfere with successful nesting in many areas. Least Terns nest and raise chicks on the beach. Explore Birds of the World to learn more. Keep up-to-date on all that happens with Audubon North Carolina's research, events and volunteer opportunities. (2014). Least Tern (Sternula antillarum), version 2.0. Young least terns are able to leave the nest three to four days after hatching. Birds need YOU! Preferred HabitatLeast Terns use sparsely vegetated sandbars or shoreline salt flats of lakes along the Missouri River System in North Dakota. Both parents incubate and care for the young. Nesting starts shortly afterwards in colonies on relatively open beaches kept free of vegetation by natural scouring from tidal action. Least terns lay eggs between the middle of April and the beginning of May. Weighing in at about an ounce – or the equivalent of five quarters – Least Terns are the smallest species of tern in the United States and can often be seen flying low over North Carolina’s coastal waters in search of fish. Union 1998). Bruce C. Thompson, Jerome A. Jackson, Joanna Burger, Laura A. Hill, Eileen M. Kirsch, and Jonathan L. Atwood Version: 1.0 — Published March 4, 2020 The terns are raising young in an area protected and managed by Audubon, south of Topsail Island. Least Terns nesting in the northern U.S., including Montana, may migrate the farthest of all terns, possibly wintering in South America (Thompson et. Audubon protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. It is a small tern, 22–24 cm long, with a wingspan of 50 cm, and weighing 39–52 g. The upper parts are a fairly uniform pale gray, and the underparts white. Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York, USA. For the 20th year, least terns return to Wichita to nest. The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education and on-the-ground conservation. A large section of the beach has been closed off due to the formation of a colony by the seabirds. Least Tern Biology CA Least Tern & Snowy Plover Project slide show CA Least Tern Aging Classification for Chicks and Fledglings CA Least Tern Activity Report at Huntington State Beach in 2016 Report on Nesting Least Terns in CA - 2015 Audubon is a nonprofit conservation organization. Plunges into water from flight; may hover briefly before plunging.Back to top, Least Tern populations declined by about 88% between 1966 and 2015, according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey. Growing population highlights the importance of habitat management for North Carolina’s beach-nesting birds. Least Terns winter in the Caribbean and South America, and nest in North Carolina during the spring and summer months. They can renest u… Still, the island is frequented by beachgoers, but Audubon’s work to educate the public is evidence that, with proper management, birds can thrive alongside people. Since the terns nest and raise their young on the ground, the birds, their eggs - and young chicks especially - are vulnerable to predators, like … In the Missouri River below Fort Peck Dam, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is trying to minimize impacts on least terns by reducing flows during the May-through-August nesting … The Least Terns’ sudden appearance in Hancock County last year left Audubon’s team scrambling to protect the birds. In the 1800s, ladies wore hats with bird feathers, and Least Tern wings were used as decorations. 1997, Am. Thompson, Bruce C., Jerome A. Jackson, Joanna Burger, Laura A. Hill, Eileen M. Kirsch and Jonathan L. Atwood. Waterbird conservation for the Americas: The North American waterbird conservation plan, version 1. The birds are also vulnerable to pressures from beachgoers, largely due to the bird’s nesting habits. Historically, Maine had more than 30 miles of suitable nesting beaches that may have supported up to 200 pairs of piping plovers and 1200 pairs of least terns. The least tern uses a variety of sites on which to nest – bare sand on barrier islands, sand-shell areas on dredged-material islands, gravel roofs, and even occasionally within infrequently-used gravel parking lots. The nest is a shallow depression in an open, sandy area, gravelly patch, or exposed flat. Populations are endangered in many areas because of human impacts on nesting areas, especially competition for use of beaches. Warming temperatures and more extreme weather are expected to reduce the Least Tern’s summer habitat by 82 percent by 2080, according to Audubon research. Legal Notices Privacy Policy Contact Us. DURHAM, NC – More than 1,000 Least Tern pairs are nesting at the north end of Lea Island, making the colony the largest for this climate-threatened species in North Carolina since researchers began tracking the data more than 40 years ago. Egg incubation lasts for 21 days. While numbers have gradually increased with its protected status, the And, because it nests on the ground, it's vulnerable to attacks by cats, dogs, and other predators, which can destroy a significant portion of a colony's eggs and chicks. They occur along major midwestern rivers such as the Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio and Arkansas, along the Red River in Louisiana, and on the Rio Grande River in New Mexico and Texas. Learn more at www.nc.audubon.org and on Twitter at @audubonnc.​, Media contact: Ben Graham, ben.graham@audubon.org, 919-880-3793. Typically there are 2 eggs. The call of the least tern is a high-pitched “zeep", "zreep,” or “kit.” Least terns prefer a sandy beach for nesting, but will use a building’s flat gravel roof. The smallest of American terns, the Least Tern is found nesting on sandy beaches along the southern coasts of the United States and up the major river systems far into the interior of the continent. After that, they offer fishes to the female. INLAND NESTING OF THE LEAST TERN IN HIGHLANDS COUNTY, FLORIDA Fred E. Lohrer and Charlotte E. Lohrer. The nest is a hollow scrape, sometimes located among stones. The fish-eating least tern is the smallest of North American terns. Photo: Jim Verhagen/Audubon Photography Awards . Mating begins in April or May. Some invertebrates.Back to top. The least tern is a species of tern that breeds in North America and locally in northern South America. But despite the birds’ visibility along our coast, Least Terns are facing the dual pressures of development and a changing climate. A single dog or cat can destroy an entire least tern nesting colony. Small twigs, pieces of wood, small stones or other debris usually occur near the nest. As a result, least terns have found safer nesting grounds. A. and A. S. Love. A baby least tern flaps its wings near its nest in Deerfield Beach on Wednesday, July 15, 2020. Least Tern rates a 14 out of 20 on the Continental Concern Score. Reproduction: The interior least tern breeding season is April through August. Least Terns nest in colonies, where nests can be as close as 10 feet but are often 30 feet or more apart. Most least terns begin breeding in their third year. al 1997). USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD, USA. Least Tern Biology CA Least Tern & Snowy Plover Project slide show CA Least Tern Aging Classification for Chicks and Fledglings 2017 CA LETE Activity Report at Huntington State Beach 2018 CA LETE Activity Report at Huntington State Beach. (2019). The California population had shrunk to 600 pairs by 1973. Least terns will also build nests on gravel rooftops. An endangered species, they have many threats in their path to make a family, but these scientists are … The California least tern, Sternula antillarum browni, is a subspecies of least tern that breeds primarily in bays of the Pacific Ocean within a very limited range of Southern California, in San Francisco Bay and in northern regions of Mexico. This was the third year least tern production was observed at Fort Peck Reservoir, and the most nests seen since surveys began in 1987. 2016 State of North America's Birds' Watch List. Your support will power our science, education, advocacy and on-the-ground conservation efforts. Washington, DC, USA. Audubon’s state programs, nature centers, chapters and partners have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire and unite diverse communities in conservation action. At the airport, least terns have nested on the sand and gravel in four oval areas between the runway and the airplane taxiways. Lutmerding, J. The North American Breeding Bird Survey, Results and Analysis 1966–2015. Nesting Habits . For perspective, a statewide Least Tern census in 2016 found 2,388 pairs across all of North Carolina. Shallow scrape in sand, soil, or pebbles. Spread the word. “Just like North Carolina vacationers, Least Terns depend on our beaches for respite in the spring and summer,” says Lindsay Addison, Audubon coastal biologist based in Wilmington. Version 1019 Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Bird Banding Laboratory 2019. A., M. J. Steinkamp, K. C. Parsons, J. Capp, M. A. Cruz, M. Coulter, I. Davidson, L. Dickson, N. Edelson, R. Elliott, R. M. Erwin, S. Hatch, S. Kress, R. Milko, S. Miller, K. Mills, R. Paul, R. Phillips, J. E. Saliva, W. Sydeman, J. Trapp, J. Wheeler and K. Wohl (2002). Least Tern are widespread and common in places, but its favored nesting habitat is prized for human recreation, residential development, and alteration by water diversion, which interfere with successful nesting in many areas. The Sibley Guide to Birds, second edition. Presently, 55% of least terns in Florida nest on gravel rooftops. Get Action Alerts when birds need you most! Males perform elaborate aerial displays. This migratory bird is a U.S. federally listed endangered subspecies. The least terns began nesting at Gibson Station in the mid 1980s. Mating Least Terns dig shallow scrapes in the sand of open beaches to lay their eggs, but avoid areas frequented by humans. A group of these birds is called a "straightness" of terns. The Cornell Lab will send you updates about birds, birding, and opportunities to help bird conservation. Sanctuary and Audubon Center in Corolla, A Bright Spot for 2020: Coastal Nesting Birds Thrived, Administration Moves to Finalize Bird-Killer Policy. Other close relatives include the yellow-billed tern and Peruvian tern, both from South America. Least terns have been documented nesting on the rooftop of Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium in … Usually hovers before plunging into water for tiny prey; does more hovering than most terns. Nesting least terns are extremely susceptible to disturbance. Range map provided by Birds of the World Explore … Forage primarily for small (2-9 cm), non-spiny fish but also shrimp and other invertebrates. Audubon North Carolina, a state program of the National Audubon Society, has offices in Durham, Boone, Corolla, and Wilmington. It prefers sandy beaches for nesting—the same kinds of places that people love to visit. Ornithol. There is something for everyone! Often seen flying low over the water, with quick deep wingbeats and shrill cries. Learn more at www.audubon.org and @audubonsociety. The biggest threat to least terns is habitat loss. The booming population at Lea Island is great news for a species that is declining in pockets across its range. It’s the least you can do. The size of nesting areas is highly dependent on water levels. Development in nesting habitats threaten least tern procreation. Chicks leave the nest only a few days after hatching, but the adults continue to care for them, leading them to shelter in nearby grasses and bringing them food. Get involved in helping to preserve our birds and their habitats today. Our smallest tern. The total population of the subspecies amounted to 582 breeding pairs in 1974, when census work on this bird began. Downy, eyes open, able to walk but stays in nest. This is called the fish flight display. Longevity records of North American birds. Least Tern is classified as threatened, endangered, or as a species of concern for most states because of loss of nesting habitat, and the interior population has been federally listed as endangered since 1985.Back to top. Usually nest in small colonies (less than 20 nests) with nests spaced far apart. The species is on the 2016 State of North America's Birds' Watch List, which lists bird species that are most at risk of extinction without significant conservation actions to reverse declines and reduce threats. Version 2.07.2017. Donal C. O'Brien, Jr. Although known to Floridians as a coastal nester, the Least Tern (Sterna albifrons) nests regularly in the interior of the United States along major rivers. Seacoasts, beaches, bays, estuaries, lagoons, lakes and rivers, breeding on sandy or gravelly beaches and banks of rivers or lakes, rarely on flat rooftops of buildings.Back to top, Small fish. The Cane Ridge Wildlife Management Area provides ideal nesting habitat for the terns. Least Terns breed, mostly colonially, in a variety of habitats and have adapted to nesting on gravel roofs. The least terns start to scrape out their potential nest sites in the sand before deciding on the ideal location, and settling in for the wait to come. Help secure the future for birds at risk from climate change, habitat loss and other threats. More ID Info. However, Least Terns in some parts of the east are now nesting … Least terns in the interior population prefer nesting on open sandbars near wide river channels. National Audubon Society Both parents incubate their eggs for about 24 days. That’s why we post barrier island nesting sites, and why we continually monitor and do outreach.”. The young leave the nest in a few days, but don't begin to fly until about three weeks later. The eggs are camouflaged to help prevent predation. DURHAM, NC – More than 1,000 Least Tern pairs are nesting at the north end of Lea Island, making the colony the largest for this climate-threatened species in North Carolina since researchers began tracking the data more than 40 years ago. The typical colony is 25 pair. Since 1905, Audubon’s vision has been a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Kushlan, J. Audubon staff counted 1,034 nests in early May, many of them with eggs and newborn chicks. 2019 Chronology of Events for LETE Nesting … And when hundreds of least terns start to cluster together, with nests literally a foot or two away from each other, the beach becomes a noisy place to be. Least Tern nests on the ground, where it is vulnerable to predators and to human activity such as beach recreation. In The Birds of North America (P. G. Rodewald, editor). It also provides great habitat for many other species of wildlife. Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers(Order: Charadriiformes, Family:Laridae). Sauer, J. R., D. K. Niven, J. E. Hines, D. J. Ziolkowski Jr., K. L. Pardieck, J. E. Fallon, and W. A. Archbold Biological Station, Route 2, Box 380, Lake Placid, Florida 33852. 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