Fall 1999 Table of Contents

Terns are making themselves at home in Tacoma

Most backyards, even if they’re on Puget Sound, won’t attract nesting Caspian terns.

But the old Asarco smelter site near the Tacoma Yacht Club in Ruston hosted about 1,000 of the big, fish-eating birds and some 200 chicks this summer. The terns are occupying a fenced off, large mound of dirt that overlooks Commencement Bay, providing both security from predators and a view of their food supply. This creates near-perfect nesting conditions for terns, says WDFW urban wildlife biologist Michelle Tirhi.

What’s most amazing is that they successfully nested amidst so much urban noise and disturbance she says. Loud, heavy machinery has been working within feet of the terns almost daily.

The terns probably won’t be back next spring, however, because the mound of contaminated dirt will be bulldozed this fall to make way for a waterfront park. Asarco officials had planned to move the mound earlier this year in their clean-up and restoration, but they agreed to wait until the birds moved off this fall.

Biologists and environmentalists in the area are working on ways to keep the terns in Commencement Bay. This may prove difficult as terns eat a variety of fish, including some salmon species that have recently been added to the federal threatened species list.

Caspian terns are abundant and traditionally nest in Puget Sound, along the Columbia River, and in eastern Washington. At almost two feet in length, with long pointed wings, bright red beaks, and black caps, the terns are an exceptional addition to our urban environment!

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