I was surprised by how small the least terns are- and so beautiful! Thank you all for the work you are doing to protect them and bring awareness of the difficulties they face!
Least Terns are really cool birds. I got to do some Least Tern nest monitoring in North Dakota this summer. I definitely got the full experience of getting dive bombed and pooped on by them several times, but it was still very enjoyable.
What charming birds!! It seemed like that second one just wanted to chill with y'all for a few moments longer - that or she was plotting something, haha! I will have to go and read more about shore nests. For some reason it never occurred to me that the nests would literally just be right in the sand, no grass or anything. For all that I feel like beaches are familiar places, they really aren't!!
Some of them are more hidden but Least Terns will nest in straight up sand. I once saw one make a nest in tire tracks on the beach 😬 I marked it so hopefully they made it.
Thanks for the very interesting video! I have wanted to see the broken wing display for a long time, so great that you could capture that and share it (at 8:14)
Derek , if you check on the California least terns that nest out here in California we have fenced in areas where Predators can't get to the birds or the birds nest and they should be doing that down in Louisiana where you where at and , they're also people that are hired that are hired for Predator control that keep an eye on the birds .
I live in Louisiana and would love to be able to experience something like this. Do you have to be some sort of biology or conservation student, or can you volunteer with an organization and help?
I know Audubon Delta always needs volunteers to help install fencing around beach nesting bird habitat and to help educate people about staying out of those habitats. As far as helping with banding and such you would have to ask. Send me an email and I can help get you in touch. Badgerlandbirding@gmail.com