Little or least terns on rafts? (1 Viewer)

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richwhite44

Member

• May 20, 2017

• #1

Can anyone here share information regarding the use, or non-use, of rafts by little or least terns for breeding?

Other tern species will use rafts, but do little and least?

Thanks.

Richard

 

A

AidenD

Well-known member

• May 20, 2017

• #2

I don't believe so.

 

Xenospiza

Distracted

• May 20, 2017

• #3

The RSPB tried: https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/co...s/details/370840-little-tern-recovery-project
First result: https://twitter.com/mick_turton/status/575258807242256384

 

Little SuperBirder

Addicted to Birds

• May 29, 2017

• #4

Least Terns have nested on a barge at Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary in St. Louis for many years now: http://wildbirdsbroadcasting.blogspot.com/2009/07/barge-nesting-terns-continuing-success.html

I've seen them before, it's really interesting. One thing I've always thought is interesting is that there's extensive habitat for them to breed around there, but they only ever use the barge. I guess that's due to strong site fidelity? Or that the barge is really just way better, given the lack of land-based predators? Interesting to think about.

 

ovenbird43

Well-known member

• Jun 3, 2017

• #5

There are a couple current projects in Florida to create nesting platforms for Least Terns - here is a link to one that has not yet been successful:

http://www.friendsofrefuges.org/home/shorebird-nesting-platform

However, I've heard of at least one other project going on this year in the Florida Keys that is having success - I will post info when/if I can find it.