Making Way for Terns: Restoration at Great Gull Island

Abstract

The largest roseate tern (Sterna dougalii) colony in the Northern Hemisphere, which is located on Great Gull Island, is no pristine haven. Indeed, Great Gull Island is an ecological anomaly—a weed-ridden 17 acres (6.8 ha) of scrubby grass, tall blinds for bird watching, and crumbling military infrastructure. Invasive and other weedy plants have threatened tern-nesting habitat throughout the past decades, despite admirable attempts at rehabilitating the island’s ecosystem. A new restoration project that integrates historical lessons with expanded resources, promises the best chance yet for successful restoration of the island and its unique roseate and common tern (S. hirunda) populations.