Well, this tern season looks like a wrap. A good season, not a great season. I think it is within the top 4 or 5 for this colony for nests, and we will see the monitor's analysis on birds produced per pair, or the measure of "success" for the season. All docents are welcome to visit the beach any time, but official need for the close watch of tern nests, chicks, and young of the year is hereby declared over. We do have a need and curiosity to monitor our returned wintering population of Western snowy plovers. I have seen 5 a couple weeks ago. Any of you sharp eyes see more than that? Any with bands? These are the observations we want to know, and balance that with our beach visitation. So, if you visit, please find the pack and fill out a data sheet, or email me the information.

This has, I think, been our best year watching the colony. Through all your help, we have been able to quickly respond to problems and better protect this endangered species. So, lets get together for a group pat on the back by having a BBQ!

Volunteer BBQ Tuesday August 26, 2008. 5:30 PM at the Huntington State Beach Lifeguard Headquarters, PCH and Magnolia Avenue. Bring something to grill, drink and eat with. And on the potluck side of things, how about A-L bring a salad, and M-Z bring a dessert to share. Awards, prizes, picots, and a lot of thanks to a great group of volunteers. Hope you can make it to this one.

-David Pryor

Monitors-I am so sorry this took so long to get to you. We had a death in our family and had to be in TX for a while and I was unable to access my email contacts and the tern season seemed to end a little early this year.

Hope you can make it to the BBQ, it is always fun. If we can round up a projector, I will be showing the same slide show from last year with some added photos that some of you have sent to me.

Remember, this is for monitors, significant others, anyone involved in this project, and anyone interested in being involved.

Hope to see you there,

-Cheryl