Least Terns in Orange Beach AlabamaThe bigger shore birds like herons, pelicans, and osprey get plenty of attention from Gulf Coast bird watchers and visitors to the area. Sometimes the smaller birds like the least tern get overlooked but they can be fascinating to watch. This time of year their mating behavior can be seen on the beaches and dunes of the Gulf Coast.
At the beach in Perdido Pass there was a pool of water and it was the social gathering place for the least terns and other birds. Here, they took bird baths, preened and just hung out with each other.
According to the Audubon Field Guide least tern populations have been on the decline. Their nesting habitat is open beach ground which is also favored for beach goers. They lay the eggs among the shells and gravel on the beach. In Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and Perdido Key there are several areas that are marked off to warn beach goers to be aware of the birds. Ironically, some least tern colonies are using the gravel rooftops of large shopping centers as nesting areas because the conditions are similar to the beaches. This also gets the nests away from predators and anyone that may accidentally walk over the nest.
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Comments
Bryce Burke(non-registered)
On vacation this week, we noticed the terns feeding in the surf, East of the Orange Beach Hampton Inn. May 27, 2020. But my son and I are still debating what kind of terns they were. After seeing your excellent photos, I’m thinking least terns. I’ve no photographs of them. Thank you for sharing your art.
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