Hi Everyone,
Yesterday I did a survey of the Noosa estuary on high tide, low tide and
then an evening session waiting for terns to come to roost for the
night. Whilst I haven't yet brought the data together, I assure you
there was nothing of great interest to report, except............
where are the migratory terns?
Yesterday we saw not a single Little, Common or White-winged Black Tern
in Noosa. On last month's Noosa survey we saw a small flock of Commons -
maybe 20. A check of my database for our three-year Caloundra sandbanks
project showed them all present at this time of year. The Noosa habitat
is similar to Caloundra, is not far away, and so far has shown itself to
be a significant site for migratory terns. It's got me perplexed.
Last week I was in northern NSW and saw small numbers of Commons and
Littles. I haven't been to Caloundra in a while, and have no idea what
is happening elsewhere in SEQld. Has anyone seen any Commons, Littles
and White-winged Blacks around SEQld this season? If so, in what kinds
of numbers?
And is there anyone lurking on the list, who knows anything about fish
movement as it could pertain to terns? This is a glaring gap in my
understanding of tern movements. I'm of the feeling that it's all about
bait fish movements. (Yes, I know there are other variables, but I can't
get past this fish business, because I shouldn't have let myself remain
ignorant for so long.) No need to bore the list with this subject, so a
private answer is probably best.
I wonder if La Nina has anything to do with it. Water temperatures. I
wish my mind didn't ask so many questions all the time.
Cheers,
Jill
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www.birding-aus.org
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