[Tweeters] Caspian Terns (CATE) in Seattle this year

[Elaine Chuang via Tweeters]

Fans of the Caspian Tern (CATE) are familiar with the exceptionally tough time they've had here in the Puget Sound region / Salish Sea for several years (2021 heat dome, 2022 avian influenza).  That’s on top of what is now chronic pursuit of and disruption of their preferred nesting sites, e.g., islands near the mouth of the Columbia River, where 25 years ago, that colony was believed to represent 10 percent of the worldwide CATE population.  More recently, Rat Island near Port Townsend was used for nesting, later failing.  Periodically, here in Seattle-ish Puget Sound, several large, flat rooftops (Kimberly-Clark, Port of Seattle - Coast Guard buildings, Trident Seafoods, Northwest Industries) have served as stand-ins for flat, sandy, gravelly natural nesting areas.  This year, it has been realized only recently that CATE are gathered atop the paired almost flat roofs (in the shape of a very low "M") at 2421 W. Commodore Way in Interbay, half a mile from the Chittendon (Ballard) Locks.  From valuable communications with the highly experienced Chris Anderson of WDFW (thanks so much, Chris), it may be that this colony represents the bulk of the region’s CATE population this season.  Incidentally, it turns out that this is the same building they used in 2013-14 when it was Northwest Industries, only now with a new roof.

We do have very recent visual confirmation of a handful of juvenile birds among the many, many adults, so some successful breeding has definitely taken place, and these young are fledge-ready!  Business tenants on Commodore Way who've been patiently waiting out the noisy, messy season say that the number of birds has fallen recently.  General migratory departure of our CATE for more southerly coasts is likely in late August into September, and rarely later.  So if you’d care to get some views of these wonderful birds in numbers and be enveloped in their raucous symphony, the address is above.  Having a spotting scope would be advantageous.  For an alternative experience, there are a number of photos and videos as well as maps with marked viewpoints here:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/154614679@N02/albums/72177720327956265/

Tom P. Good, Ph.D., who has been Research Biologist for NOAA Fisheries since 2001, has special interest in and experience with the Caspian Tern.  In January, 2024, he presented his insights to the Washington Ornithological Society.  You may view this informative presentation on the natural history and plight of these birds, "Caspian Terns in Puget Sound: caught between multiple rocks and hard places," here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rs4qkuMbmQ0&t=187s.  Please enjoy!

Elaine Chuang
Seattle
  elc at uw dot edu