Susie Wood posted on August 05, 2009 11:37
Each year the Thousand Islands Land Trust (TILT) and Save the River (STR) construct and remove gull exclusion grids on Eagle Wings shoals, and this year the project expanded to include Tidd Island, as well. The Common Tern is a NYS threatened colonial shorebird species whose population is affected by loss of habitat through competition with other birds, and predation by seagulls, heron, and mammals. This August marks the end of the Common Tern’s nesting season, and the time has come to remove the grids.
The grids are a network of strong nylon fencing wire supported by metal posts, which covers the entire surface area of the shoals. The squares created by crossing the wires are only wide enough for terns to fly through and land. The wingspan of seagulls and other larger birds is too wide to fit through the grids, which keeps gulls from predating on tern chicks. This gives terns a safe area to nest.
TILT and STR would like to invite community members to join them on a Trek and assist in the tern grid removal. The Trek will take place on Aug 12 at 9am and will meet at the TILT office, 135 John St., Clayton. Transportation to the grids will be provided. Participants of all ages are welcome to spend the morning learning about the Common Tern and the importance of its preservation in the Thousand Islands Region.
For more information or to make a reservation, contact TILT at 686-5345 or events@tilandtrust.org. This tern grid removal Trek is part of TILTreks & Talks encouraging living, learning, and conserving in the Thousand Islands. A full schedule of the summer 2009 TILTreks & Talks is available on TILT’s website, www.tilandtrust.org.