The number of Caspian terns returning to the Columbia River estuary
has increased five-fold over the past two weeks and most are ignoring the
enticements of new habitat and bird calls devised by a working group to
encourage nesting at East Sand Island.
A roost count of terns Wednesday evening found 1,200 terns at East Sand
Island and 7,800 at Rice Island. The last count reported in the Columbia
Basin Bulletin over two weeks ago had 1,400 terns at Rice Island and 300
to 400 terns at …
