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KARAGI POINT, THE ENTRANCE,
LITTLE TERN BULLETIN No 2
Nesting at the Karagi Point Little
Tern Rookery is well an truly underway with 32 clutches having been found since
15 November 2002. The first chicks hatched on 1 December and 13 chicks from 5
clutches have now been known to have hatched. At least 11 of the 13 chicks have
been observed in the past 2 days, the other chicks could be present but there is
a lot of small hilly dunes with marran grass where the main part of the colony
is located and it is hard to find the chicks from outside the fence. The
prospects appear to be good for the next few weeks, particularl;y as the School
Holidays do not begin until 21 December when pressure on and interference with
the colony will greatly increase.
So far 6 clutches have disappeared,
three being washed away in high seas (all these were located outside the fenced
area) and the other three have disappeared for reasons unknown, although one of
these was also located outside the fence.
Some of the birds are colour banded
viz
1. L Dk green /light green, R white/metal
2. L light green/light green, R
black/metal
3. L light blue/black, R metal
only
If any one can give us details of
banding data we would appreaciate it.
14 members of the Central Coast Group of
Birding NSW are undertaking the monitoring of the colony and we would welcome
the assistance of any more volunteers.
At this stage I am only aware of 3 other
colonies in NSW, viz Towra Point, Wallaga Lake (details not known) and 14 pairs
nesting at Tuross Heads on 14/11/02. I would be happy to hear of other
colonies and their progress.
Alan Morris
Organiser
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