Did you know that Maryland has a Tern Raft in the coastal bays of Worcester County? This man-made conservation platform serves as habitat for colonial nesting waterbirds that are listed as endangered in Maryland, such as common terns, royal terns, and black skimmers.
Since the Tern Raft was constructed in 2021, common terns have flocked to the floating platform as a nesting site. Over 400 terns congregate there after a long migration, many flying thousands of miles from places as far as Argentina. Sea level rise and erosion have devastated all of their natural nesting sites and the Tern Raft provides them with essential habitat space where they can lay their eggs and raise their young safely.This year, Maryland scientists are already seeing a lot of action at the tern city. By late May, there were 235 common tern nests, with many full clutches of three eggs each. For the first time, the raft has also a small colony of royal terns (also listed as endangered), rarer visitors who have been squeezing into space with the common terns. There are now 32 royal tern nests. Check back soon for more updates on the bustling community on the Tern Raft!
Credit to Kim Abplanalp of the Maryland Coastal Bays Program for footage of the courtship dance.
At first, I thought it was something new but it has been done for decades. It is good to see positive tern news.