This week, Save The River staff, along with long-time volunteer Jim McGarry, made their way out to navigation cell 156 to perform important maintenance on Common Tern habitat. This work is part of our long-term Common Tern Restoration Program, which focuses on protecting this state threatened species that now relies on artificial nesting grounds like the navigation cells on the River.
Common Terns face many challenges, from fluctuating water levels and severe storms to human disturbance and competition from other bird species. That’s why ongoing maintenance is so important. By preparing the nesting sites each fall, we give the terns a better chance of returning and successfully raising chicks the following spring.
During this maintenance day, staff and Jim worked together to remove old fencing and replace it with new protective fencing to help protect the dirt and gravel substrate that terns rely on from the harsh River winters. While clearing the site, they uncovered landscaping fabric that had been placed years ago in an effort to deter weeds from growing on the cell. Over time, these mats had become buried under several inches of rocky substrate. Volunteers carefully dug them out and removed them, leaving the cell clean and clear for new nests next spring.
Jim, who has long overseen the care and maintenance of navigation cells 156 and 180, also advised staff that due to this summer’s dry conditions, masks should be worn while working. Dust from tern droppings and other avian sources can become airborne during maintenance and create health concerns.
We want to extend our sincere thanks to Jim for his long-term dedication. Maintenance days like this are physically demanding and may seem simple, but they have a direct impact on the health of the Common Tern population. Each year, Save The River monitors and manages several navigation cells and shoals across the Thousand Islands, providing safe nesting habitat that would otherwise be scarce.
If you’d like to learn more about our Common Tern Restoration Program or make a contribution to support this work, please visit Save The River’s Common Tern Restoration Project. Together, we can protect the River and all the life it supports.