Terns, swallows and hummers, oh my!
This past summer our two dedicated interns logged over 300 hours monitoring local Arctic Terns, Tree Swallows, and Rufous Hummingbirds. Over three months they collected data to contribute to the ongoing research of these three species. An update is as follows:
Arctic Terns again returned to the Mendenhall Glacier bringing an estimated 75 individuals. Nesting commenced and the first chicks were spotted in early June. There were a few documented cases of predation from Ravens and immature eagles, however an estimated 18 chicks matured and made their way out to sea by mid July.
Like the terns, the Tree Swallows returned to occupy nesting boxes. A total of 64 boxes were erected on five separate sights: Mendenhall Peninsula, Sunny Point, Kingfisher Pond, Twin Lakes, and Fish Creek Wetlands. A vast majority of boxes were occupied by nesting pairs and a total of 363 eggs were recorded, with 269 chicks maturing to fledglings and leaving the nest.
The Rufous Hummingbirds of the community gardens returned this season with a total of 48 individuals banded over the banding sessions. This included 18 juveniles indicating that nearby nest sights were successful. There have been concerns that, with the declining populations of hummingbirds, these vivacious Trochilidines would not return in high numbers to the gardens. However, it appears they are continuing to visit our local garden area to nest and raise their young.
JAS is grateful to our hard-working interns who support our continuing bird studies, and look forward to our continued efforts in conservation and research.
