2006 Nesting Season

The following update is a summary for the 2006 nesting season at Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge in Chatham, Mass. The data is current as of August 30, 2006. The information is subject to change as the data is reviewed and finalized. Please contact the refuge for up-to-date information.

· A total of 25 pairs of federally threatened piping plovers nested on the refuge: 1 pair on north Monomoy Island and 24 pairs on south Monomoy Island. Refuge-wide, this is 6 more pairs than in 2005. Twenty-five chicks fledged and overall reproductive success was fair - 1.00 chicks/pair.

· Monomoy refuge hosts the largest common tern colony on the Atlantic coast and approximately 60% of the tern population in Massachusetts. A total of 9,310 common terns nested on the north tip of south Monomoy Island this season, which is an increase from 8,834 pairs in 2005. The reproductive success was poor, 0.85 chicks fledged per nest, due to reduced numbers of study plots and poor nesting habitat (dense vegetation in certain areas of the colony). Approximately, 711 pairs (913 pairs in 2005) of common terns nested on Monomoy this season with good productivity. One pair of common terns attempted to nest on north Monomoy, but the nest was depredated by gull. The nesting area was also susceptible to flooding.

· A total of 29 pairs of federally endangered roseate terns nested on the refuge. Two pairs nested on south Monomoy Island and produced three chicks. Unfortunately, two of the chicks were moved to dense vegetation and staff was unable to locate them. One chick was followed to fledging age and seen flying. Twenty-seven pairs of roseate terns nested on Monomoy. Four nests were abandoned during the season, but 24 chicks fledged successfully with good productivity of 1.20 chicks/nest. Twenty-seven pairs of roseate terns nested on the refuge in 2005.

· Laughing gull numbers increased slightly to 1,492 pairs in 2006 from 1,312 pairs in 2005. Overall, productivity was estimated to be fairly good. Nest destruction efforts were implemented again this season to reduce the increasing laughing gull population that is encroaching on the common and roseate tern colony.

· A total of 67 pairs of least terns nested on the refuge. Fifty-seven nests were counted on the south tip and on west beach along Powder Hole on south Monomoy Island in mid June. Productivity was low primarily due to predation by coyotes and gulls and overwash during very high tides. Ten least tern nests were found on Monomoy in early July, but the nests were lost to overwash.

· A total of 158 pairs of black-crowned night-heron nested on the refuge in 2006, down from 174 nests in 2005. One hundred fifty-two pairs of black-crowned night heron nested on south Monomoy and 6 pairs nested on north Monomoy. In addition, 7 pairs of snowy egret and 1 pair of great egret nested on the refuge in 2006.

· Five pairs of black skimmers nested on Monomoy in 2006. Reproductive success was good - 1.25 chicks/pair and 5 chicks reached successful fledging age. Monomoy was the only nesting site in Massachusetts for this species in 2006.

· A total of 29 pairs of American oystercatcher nested on the refuge: 8 pairs on north Monomoy, 13 pairs on south Monomoy, and 8 pairs on Monomoy. Fifteen chicks fledged successfully and overall reproductive success was 0.52 chick/pair, which is an improvement from 2005 when the reproductive success was 0.03 chicks/pair. However, predation of eggs and chicks by coyotes and gulls continues to impact success rates. Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge remains one of the most important nesting and staging sites in Massachusetts for this species.

 Threatened Beetles find a New Home at Monomoy

Monomoy has been targeted as an introduction site for the federally threatened Northeastern beach tiger beetle since 2000. In 2006, a total of 81 adult tiger beetles were sighted and marked in July and August on south Monomoy Island. This number is incredible since larvae have not been transferred to Monomoy since 2003. Northeastern beach tiger beetles found in 2006 indicate survival and successful production of beetles through all stages of life upon introduction at Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge.

Horseshoe Crab Work Continues

Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most important spawning areas in Massachusetts for horseshoe crabs. In 2006, approximately 402 horseshoe crabs were tagged on Morris Island and north and south Monomoy Islands. Tagged horseshoe crab sightings can be reported on the refuge horseshoe crab hotline at (508) 945-0594 ext. 12. Tagging information from Monomoy will be combined with tagging data and horseshoe crab spawning data gathered by the Massachusetts Audubon Society and the Cape Cod National Seashore to help establish baseline data for the refuge and surrounding waters.

Volunteers

This work could not have been accomplished without the small group of dedicated and hard working volunteers that put in a total of 5142 hours during the 2006 field season.