Monitor and Evaluate Caspian Terns and their Impacts on the Survival of Juvenile Salmonids in the Columbia River Estuary

Duration

March 2013 - November 2015

Narrative

This project is a continuation of previously funded work in 2008 through 2012 that investigated the nesting ecology and food habits of Caspian terns at prospective Corps-constructed Caspian tern sites in interior Oregon and northeastern California to assess the potential impacts of new or larger tern colonies on local stocks of forage fishes, particularly fish species of special concern (e.g., juvenile salmonids, Warner suckers, shortnose suckers, Lost River suckers; BRNW 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013). This study is important for evaluating the efficacy of the Caspian Tern Management Plan in reducing predation on Columbia Basin salmonids and for evaluating impacts to ESA-listed fish outside the Basin.