In 2015, some of
our Galveston Bay Area Chapter- Texas Master Naturalist (GBA-TMN) friends and
TERN volunteers helped us to create wooden decoys of black skimmers for some of
the colonies found on the east border of Texas at a Motiva refinery.
We have
seen this species of bird many times try for successful nests in the most
unlikely locations. These birds often select nesting sites that are designed
for human use such as parking lots because the conditions of the space often
resemble suitable nesting material for ground nesters (gravel rock, open areas,
very little or no vegetation). By placing these decoys in a strategic
area, we can promote nesting in safer locations that are better for chic
rearing by designate an area away from human activities and protecting them
from predators!
In 2016, we were again fortunate to have many more GBA-TMN volunteers helps us with the painting of a new batch of black skimmer decoys. During a January retreat called Wild Camp, volunteers were led by David Bulliner (TMN and TERN volunteer), educated about the TERN program and the importance and use of these decoys. Then volunteers began painting the decoys to resemble the birds they would be used to help attract. While some of these birds may go back to east Texas, the majority of these black skimmer decoys will be deployed this 2016 nesting season to promote nesting in a preferred location at the north shore of the Texas City Prairie Preserve.
We are so thankful
for our TERN volunteers and our partners in the Texas Master Naturalist program
for their diligence and help with our decoys! If the birds could talk, I’m sure
they would thank you too!
Our Audubontern.org site will keep a blog posting of the progress this season so you can keep an eye on your contributions to the nesting season.
A special thank you to Judy Anderson for use of the photos!
