Injured Elegant Terns
Influx of Elegant Terns From Long Beach Harbor Barge Incident in Care at International Bird Rescue
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July 15, 2021
Elegant Terns are still relatively common along the Pacific Coast but face conservation challenges.
More than 30 Elegant Tern chicks that were startled off their nesting site in Long Beach Harbor are now in care at International Bird Rescue in San Pedro, reports an organization called Bird Rescue. More of these young seabirds are en route.
"These rescued seabirds are a part of a large tern colony nesting on an anchored barge located in Long Beach Harbor that may have been disturbed by boaters and fireworks over the Fourth of July weekend," writes Bird Rescue.
"These young terns are in crisis right now and we will do our very best to help them," said JD Bergeron, Bird Rescue CEO. "If you frequent the area, we invite you to take action by keeping an eye out for orphaned or injured birds."
"We hope the public will help support the cost of these critical rescue efforts." added Bergeron.
Elegant Terns face numerous challenges in Southern California. In May this year another Elegant Tern colony was disturbed at nearby Bolsa Chica Reserve when 3,000 nesting parents were scared away and abandoned their eggs. It's also reminiscent of a 2006 barge incident when 500+ terns washed up on the Long Beach shoreline.
The specific rehabilitative care needs of each species vary. Terns require more intensive care than other chicks. Young terns often stay close to their parents for up to six months as they learn to feed in the wild. Orphaned terns will require more intensive rehabilitative care lasting at least eight weeks to be releasable back into the wild.
Elegant tern in the wild. Because Elegant Terns have very few nesting areas, they are vulnerable to disturbance by humans, dogs, cats, rats, and other natural and introduced predators.
Bird Rescue encourages the public to report any birds in distress by calling their LA office: 310-514-2573. They also solicit donations at their website, http://www.birdrescue.org
If you find a bird in distress, please follow these temporary care instructions to keep the bird safe before transporting:
· · Find a medium/large-sized box and place a folded towel at the bottom.
· · Ensure there are holes in the box big enough for airflow.
· · Place the bird in the box and keep in a dark, quiet place.
· · Keep the bird warm.
· · Please don't feed the bird.
· · Leave the bird alone; don't handle or bother it.
· · Always keep children and pets away.
· · Call our Los Angeles wildlife center: 310-514-2573
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