You are here

Least And Roseate Terns Staging At Cape Cod National Seashore For Trek South

Share

Roseate terns are gathering at Cape Cod National Seashore in advance of their migration south. USFWS photo by Jorge Salvia.

If you still need to checkoff the Least, or Roseate, terns from your birding life list, or simply like to watch birds, you might consider visiting Cape Cod National Seashore as those species are staging there in advance of their migration south.

The importance of the seashore's beaches to nesting piping plovers and least terns is well known to most Cape residents and visitors. However, the importance of outer-Cape beaches to Common, Least, and Roseate terns and other shorebirds before and during migration may be less widely appreciated, said Dr. Jason Taylor, the seashore's chief of natural resource management.

Even while some least terns and piping plovers are raising chicks on seashore beaches, roseate and common terns are beginning to gather, particularly on the barrier beaches that form Hatches Harbor, Jeremy Point, and Coast Guard/Nauset, he said in a release.

"Terns, sometimes referred to as 'sea swallows,' are smaller than gulls and more graceful flyers, with forked tails and slender wings. After the nesting season, adult and fledgling terns disperse from their breeding grounds to 'stage' on beaches and flats in southern New England before their 4,500-mile migration to South America," said Chief Taylor.

During this staging period, the ecologist said "the terns rest and feed so they can build body mass and fat reserves necessary to fuel their long migration south. This is a critical period for these terns and other staging and migrating shorebirds; it is important that disturbances to these birds while resting on beaches and flats are minimized."

Visitors to Cape Cod National Seashore are encouraged to enjoy terns and other shorebirds from a distance. That's because vehicles, boat landings, kayaks, dogs, and pedestrians can flush staging birds, interrupting feeding and resting and forcing them to expend energy they are trying to preserve for migration.

Over the years, Cape Cod National Seashore staff has assisted the Massachusetts Audubon Coastal Waterbird Program and the U.S. Geological Survey in documenting the importance of seashore beaches to terns about to embark on their fall migration. From July through mid-September, researchers have counted many thousands of terns congregating at Hatches Harbor, Race Point, Coast Guard/Nauset Marsh, North Beach and South Beach/Monomoy beaches.

Most terns observed are common terns, a Species of Special Concern in Massachusetts, and roseate terns, listed as endangered by the State and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Based on counts of color-banded roseate terns, researchers estimate that 75 percent, or more, of the entire Northwest Atlantic Coast breeding population of roseate terns use Cape Cod National Seashore beaches and mudflats during their migration. A more detailed three-year study on the importance of the seashore to staging roseate terns is planned to begin in 2014.

Cape Cod National Seashore Superintendent George Price "encourages visitors and residents to observe this amazing phenomenon of thousands of birds utilizing national seashore beaches in preparation for their migration. It is important for people to witness this wonder of nature and share their experience with family and friends. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy terns and other shorebirds from a distance, but should avoid disturbing these staging birds, since this period of resting is critical to their survival."

Add comment

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.