California Least Terns unfortunately had one of their worst breeding seasons on the beaches of Southern California in 2002. Causes include predators (any bird or mammal larger than a tern finds them appetizing) and a lack of food for the chicks. (Small fish in inshore waters were scarce perhaps due to changes in ocean temperatures or over-fishing). Many chicks were abandoned by their parents shortly after hatching out, and older chicks slowly starved to death. Adults, flying far out to sea for the small fish needed to fit into little mouths, were often mobbed by hungry juveniles waiting on the beach. The juveniles took the fish, leaving the parent with no food for the chick. 

The Least Tern monitors (biologists contracted by the US Navy through the San Diego Zoo to monitor the beach sites) picked up many starving and abandoned chicks. Many chicks were so weak they died before arriving at Meryl Faulkner's doorstep. But 52 made it to rehabilitation alive. Some could barely stand; some were only 3.2 grams in weight, although a newly hatched chick should weigh about 5.5 to six grams. 

Least Terns reared in captivity by Project Wildlife volunteer Meryl Faulkner as part of a Navy pilot project were fortunate to be fed plenty of fish (harvested in New Jersey and fresh frozen for the pet trade). At $15 a pound (discounted) it was an expensive baby seabird diet! Project Wildlife was grateful for Pet Kingdom's efforts to ensure that 50 pounds of fish arrived every two weeks for the hungry tern chicks. 

As a result of the pilot project, most of the eggs collected at one of the US Navy beaches hatched out under Meryl's care. The eggs were kept in incubators with automatic turners and controlled temperature and humidity settings. Most of the eggs were collected on the day they were laid. The results were very successful, since of 58 eggs, 50 hatched. Some birds died after hatching, but 37 birds survived (74%), 35 were released, two were held back in captivity because of minor problems. 

Thirty-four of the beach chicks died, 12 within 24 hours, then 10 died in another week, and two more after three weeks. Another 10 died at unrecorded dates. Eighteen birds survived, of which twelve were released and six were kept in captivity for the winter because of plumage or other problems. 

Two injured adult Least Terns were brought in for rehabilitation. One was so badly injured that it was euthanized. The other, although handicapped, remains a captive. This adult helped prepare the young birds for life in the wild by demonstrating that fish were prey, rather than something to be feared. At first the hungry fledglings would hesitate at the pool's edge, afraid of the fast moving goldfish. Once they saw the captured fish disappear down the adult's throat, they would venture in and emerge triumphant with their own fish grasped tightly in their beaks! 

All the released tern chicks were banded. In two years time, when the birds return to breed, any survivors of the long migratory trip will be spotted. Least Tern & Snowy Plover Chicks

Do We Have Your Current E-mail Address?

We'll send you advance notice of special events, remind you when it's time to renew your membership, send invitations to members-only lectures, and more! Eventually, we will even be able to send you the Back to Nature newsletter electronically!

Please take the time to give us your e-mail address either by visiting our web site at www.projectwildlife.org. 

Thanks for your help!

Back to Nature newsletter is published quarterly by:
Project Wildlife
4343 Morena Blvd., #7
San Diego, CA 92117

Project Wildlife is a nonprofit, nonpolitical, volunteer organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of San Diego County Wildlife. Project Wildlife is also dedicated to the education of San Diego County residents on local wildlife and how to coexist with local mammals and birds.

To get in touch with Project Wildlife, see our contact page

Ways to Give:
Endowment Program
United Way Donations
Flowers for Wildlife
Protectors of Wildlife

Programs:
Education Department and Programs