Terns

With the end of the seabird season in view, studies are beginning to wrap up on the islands. As remaining tern chicks transition to fledglings or succumb to the elements or starvation, productivity and feeding plots begin to close. Pond Island NWR remains an anomaly; the only Arctic Tern nest on the island hatched just this week!  As predatory visits continue, the team also reported 110 island wide flushes during a 3 hour stint.

Alcids

PIC

Puffin chicks continue to grow and chick banding has begun on Seal Island NWR and Eastern Egg Rock. One report this week noted that puffins were exceptionally grimy, with greasy messy bills. This could possibly be a sign that they’re struggling to consume their food. Guillemot chicks continue to grow stronger and are expected to start fledging soon. Stratton Island was even treated to some alcid excitement: a Razorbill visit!

Other Bird News

• Stratton Island has had quite the mix of visitors this week! Researchers have spotted Semipalmated Sandpipers, Least Sandpipers, a Great Shearwater and Horned Lark!
• On a night of calm weather, Seal Island set up mist-nets to catch and band nocturnal storm-petrels.

Island Life

As many studies draw to a close, more time is being spent processing data and battling with invasive plants like Bittersweet, Russian Thistle and Wild Radish. Stratton Island Supervisor, Michael Rickershauser, spoke with members of Prouts Neck Audubon Society in Southern Maine and Eastern Egg Rock Supervisor, Kay Garlick-Ott, boarded the Snowgoose III to speak with Seabird Institute donors about this summers work and life on the island.

For additional news:

• Visit the Seabird Island News index page.
• Also, check out how our Mad River Decoys are helping restore Common Terns and Black Skimmers in Maryland’s coastal bays.
• And, read the June edition of the Hog Island Highlights to learn about the first camp sessions of the season.