Promoting change in common tern (Sterna hirundo) nest site selection to minimize construction related disturbance

Published source details McGowan P.C., Sullivan J.D., Callahan C.R., Schultz W., Wall J.L. & Prosser D.J. (2019) Promoting change in common tern (Sterna hirundo) nest site selection to minimize construction related disturbance. Ecological Restoration, 37, 143-147.
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Summary

Use vocalisations to attract birds to safe areas

A study in 2017–2018 on an island in Maryland, USA (McGowan et al. 2019) reported that using a combination of attractant vocalizations, attractant decoys and deterrent string/tapes shifted a common tern Sternus hirundo colony to a new site. In the two years when attractants and deterrents were in place, 240–414 nests were observed in the new site and 257–425 common tern chicks were banded. No nesting attempts were observed in the historical nesting site once deterrents were fully installed (nine pairs established nests early in the first year). Attractants and deterrents were established in 2017 and 2018 nesting seasons. In a historical nesting site, string lines with flagging tape were established to deter nesting. Meanwhile, 36 acrylic decoys painted to look like common terns were placed in a desired new nesting site. Common tern and least tern Sterna antillarum calls were also played (four times daily, for 20 minutes) at the new nesting site. The study does not distinguish between the effects of these interventions.

Use decoys to attract birds to safe areas

A study in 2017–2018 on an island in Maryland, USA (McGowan et al. 2019) reported that using a combination of attractant decoys, attractant vocalizations and deterrent string/tapes shifted a common tern Sternus hirundo colony to a new site. In the two years when attractants and deterrents were in place, 240–414 nests were observed in the new site and 257–425 common tern chicks were banded. No nesting attempts were observed in the historical nesting site once deterrents were fully installed (nine pairs established nests early in the first year). Attractants and deterrents were established in 2017 and 2018 nesting seasons. In a historical nesting site, string lines with flagging tape were established to deter nesting. Meanwhile, 36 acrylic decoys painted to look like common terns were placed in a desired new nesting site. Common tern and least tern Sterna antillarum calls were also played at the new nesting site. The study does not distinguish between the effects of these interventions.

Alter habitat to encourage birds to leave an area

A before-and-after study in 2017–2018 on an island in Maryland, USA (McGowan et al. 2019) reported that using a combination of deterrent string/tapes, attractant vocalizations and attractant decoys shifted a common tern Sterna hirundo colony to a new site. In the two years when deterrents and attractants were in place, 240–414 nests were observed in the new site and 257–425 common tern chicks were banded. No nesting attempts were observed in the historical nesting site once deterrents were fully installed (nine pairs established nests early in the first year, before parallel strings were added). Deterrents and attractants were established in 2017 and 2018 nesting seasons. In a historical nesting site, string lines (1.5 m above ground; perpendicular, parallel and zig-zagging) with flagging tape (45 cm strips, every 2 m along strings) were established to deter nesting. Meanwhile, 36 acrylic decoys painted to look like common terns were placed in a desired new nesting site. Common tern and least tern Sterna antillarum calls were also played at the new nesting site. The study does not distinguish between the effects of these interventions.