forts by the NWP to re-establish nesting

Common Terns on Fish Lake.

Methods

In the summer of 1991, we conducted a

survey of five islands in Fish Lake for their

suitability as potential Common Tern nest-

ing sites. Of the five, three were selected

and ranked; that fall, I met with representa-

tives of Minnesota Power and they gra-

ciously granted permission to the NWP to

create nesting habitat for Common Terns,

on the island which was ranked highest.

The forest on the two acre island would

best be classified as an aspen-birch-balsam

fir type. Infertile soils and a closed tree

canopy resulted in little forest floor vegeta-

tion. Overnight camping and picnicking has

left both ends of the island grassy and open.

In the winter of 1991-92, a Minnesota

Conservation Corps crew removed trash and

cut down all trees and brush on the island.

The tops of the trees and the brush were

cut, piled, and burned, and the larger logs

were taken to a nearby island for use by

summer visitors. Thirty tern decoys were

set out to attract terns, and " No Trespass-

ing " signs were erected to inform people

that this area was for nesting terns. The is-

land was sprayed with Rodeo herbicide

(Monsanto Corp.) to prevent regrowth of

vegetation and to kill the grasses and forbs.

Results

A large group of terns was first seen us-

ing the lake on 21 May 1992. On 24 May,

terns were seen around the island, and on

26 May 18 adults were seen on the island.

On 17 July I approached the island and saw

about 20 adults flying around and, upon

closer inspection, found five nests. On 29

July I found three fledged young, three

young that were still unable to fly, and two

nests that contained eggs. It appears five to

ten breeding pairs used the island this sum-

mer.

Discussion

It was rewarding to have Common Terns

nest successfully the first year, but the is-

land will require continued management.

With the overstory removed, vegetation be-

came very heavy by the end of the summer.

Rodeo herbicide should be applied in north-

ern Minnesota in June; however, the birds

32

return in late May which prevents the effec-

tive use of Rodeo and necessitates the evalu-

ation of alternative herbicides. This fall the

two ends of the island that had grass were

tilled, which may reduce the need for herbi-

cide treatment. Future management will be

to control encroaching vegetation, and moni-

tor tern numbers.

The future for Common Tern use of Fish

Lake Reservoir looks good, and with proper

management the island should accommodate

a population of 50-100 breeding pairs. Com-

pared to other tern management projects, the

Fish Lake project was an inexpensive en-

deavor. I believe there may be other areas

within common tern breeding range in the

state where the same techniques may be

used. Areas where Common Terns are

known to nest or have nested historically

should be evaluated for further opportuni-

ties to create suitable habitat.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the people at Min-

nesota Power, especially Bob Bohm for al-

lowing us to use their land. Without their

generosity this rare bird would have one less

place to nest. To Rich Staffon and his staff

at the Cloquet wildlife office for the help

they provided in getting the island ready.

Thanks to Bill Berg, Rich Baker, and Jack

Mooty for reviewing an earlier draft of this

manuscript. A special vote of thanks goes

out to Jack Mooty who has given me the

freedom to work on projects that I believe

in, and is always there to provide me with

encouragement and advice.

Literature Cited

Coffin, B. and L. Pfannmuller, (eds.).

Minnesota's Endangered Flora and Fauna,

University of Minnesota Press,

Minneapolis, 1988.

Courtney, P.A. and H. Blokpoel.,

"Distribution and Numbers of Common

Terns on the Lower Great Lakes During

1900-1980: a Review," Colonial

Waterbirds. 1983:6: pp. 107-120.

McKearnan, J.E. and F.J. Cuthbert, " Status

and Breeding Success of Common Terns

in Minnesota," Colonial Waterbirds.

1989:12: pp. 185-190.

Minnesota Department of Natural

Resources, 1201 East Highway 2, Grand

Rapids, MN 55744

The Loon Vol. 65