The Least Tern Project
Our Chapter is commencing its Least Tern Project this season with guidance and support from Fish & Wildlife Conservation
Commission and the St. Petersburg
Audubon Society. The Least Tern is a federally threatened species. In St. Lucie County, we have at least 12 buildings where
the Least Terns have nested on gravel rooftops in recent years. Least Terns have customarily nested on the beaches, laying their eggs in sand and shells where they blend in with the local seashore. With development in recent years encroaching onto our beaches that were once remote areas, the terns and other seabirds have been losing their traditional nesting habitat.
We need a few volunteers to help us with a worthwhile project that is designed to help the Least Terns adapt to rooftop nesting. Each volunteer will work with two or three buildingowners. This involves explaining our program, asking
them to display our Least Tern brochure, and thanking them for harboring the nesting birds on their roof. Also, checking for any weak chicks that may have fallen from the roof and generally monitoring the presence and progress through the nesting season which
continues through May. To volunteer and to obtain more information, please phone any of our Board members listed in the Laughing Gull.
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