To add to the tern numbers observed by Dave, there were about 120 Common Terns back at Poasquash and Rock islands as of last Thurs. One pair was nest prospecting on Grammas Island where, for the second year, we have set up a social attraction system with decoys and sound.

Mark

Mark LaBarr
Conservation Biologist
Audubon Vermont
255 Sherman Hollow Road
Huntington, VT 05462
802-434-3068
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-----Original Message-----
From: Vermont Birds [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of David Capen
Sent: Sunday, May 04, 2008 11:32 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [VTBIRD] Caspian Terns and Peregrine on Four Bros Islands


Four Brothers Islands Friday, 2 May:  I counted 61 Caspian Terns on
Island C, where they have nested for the past 4 years; some were already
incubating.  It was interesting to see some of the terns offering
alewives, instead of smelt, as part of their breeding behavior.  My
partner, Scott, spotted a Peregrine Falcon, which spent a few minutes on
the cliff face of Island A.  A couple of cleanly eaten Ring-billed Gulls
on Island C suggested the falcon visits regularly. Scott spotted a pair
of Gadwalls also. Other notable birds include Great Egrets, 3 nesting
pairs, I think; 24 Great Blue Herons on nests; and a good number of
Black-crowned Night Herons.