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RESEARCH
CURRENT OFF-ISLAND WORK
In 1999 Matthew Male began a study of forage fish at the eastern end of Long Island
Sound. During the season he designed a net that worked to catch the small fish that the terns eat.
He was able to sample fish in July and August, however, he did have trouble with his boat which
broke down three times. We are hoping to replace this boat for the 2,000 season.
South America Coastal Surveys
When the Roseate Tern was listed as endangered in 1987 funding became available for
studies and there was an increase in effort in breeding ground studies of this species in the U.S.
and the Carribbean. There was no information, however, on where the species spent the winter.
In 1995 Great Gull Island staff members began a series of surveys along the eastern coast of
South America to determine where Roseate Terns wintered. We were fortunate in sighting
Roseate Terns on our first trip off Alcabaca, Brazil. In addition, we found a large concentration
of Common Terns, 20,000 - 30,000 birds at Punta Rasa, Argentina. Many of the birds in the
Punta Rasa concentration had been color banded on Great Gull Island and all were birds over a
year old.
Through subsequent surveys in South America we have further defined the Roseate Tern
wintering areas and more work is planned for the year 2,000.
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General Information