Caspian Terns of East Sand Island: Managing Seabirds in an Important Bird Area

Dan Roby - Ian Jones

with Dan Roby

Located near the mouth of the Columbia River, East Sand Island is the site of the world’s largest Caspian Tern colony, as well as the largest known Double-crested Cormorant colony in western North America. In addition to these dominant seabirds, important roosting, nesting or migrating numbers of Brown Pelicans, Brandt’s Cormorants, several gull species, loons, grebes, raptors, waterfowl and songbirds help make this an Important Bird Area.

Hear biologist Dan Roby discuss the challenges of managing this IBA to protect the birds while working to reduce the seabirds’ impact on the survival of salmon and steelhead from throughout the Columbia Basin.

From the effects of oil spills and climate change to seabird/fisheries interactions, Dr. Roby has conducted research on the ecology of seabirds for over 25 years. He has worked in Alaska, Hawaii, Greenland, Newfoundland, South Georgia, and Antarctica, as well as throughout the Pacific Northwest. He received his BA in Biology from Antioch College, an MS from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and his PhD from the University of Pennsylvania.

Dan is currently the Unit Leader – Wildlife at the U.S. Geological Survey - Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and Professor of Wildlife Ecology in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Oregon State University.  He served as Chair of the Pacific Seabird Group during 2004-2006 and was elected a Fellow of the American Ornithologists’ Union in 2008.

Please join us for this entertaining, informative and thought-provoking presentation!

Nature Night is free and open to the public.  Location: Heron Hall, Audubon House, 5151 NW Cornell Rd