Common Tern Nesting Rafts

The Lake Puckaway Protection and Rehabilitation District has placed two modified pontoon boats along the central dredge bank of Lake Puckaway.  The Common Tern is an endangered species in the state of Wisconsin because their natural nesting habitats--beaches and sand bars--have disappeared due to development and dam building.  The rafts placed on the lake simulate this habitat, while being less susceptible to fluctuating water levels and predators.  Lake Puckaway is already home to another endangered species of tern, the Forster’s Tern.  Forster’s Terns and Common Terns look very similar, but the Forster’s Tern typically nests on mats of vegetation.

Please only observe terns at a distance to avoid disturbing the birds.  If the rafts are visited too often, the birds may abandon the colony.  Keep at least 100 yards distance, and never enter the rafts.  Wildlife watchers can get a good look at these 4.5 ounce terns when they are resting on buoys, posts, rocks, or exposed sandbars.  They are fun to watch as they search and catch fish throughout the shallower regions of the lake.  When they spot a fish they hover and go into a dive, plunging and briefly disappearing into the water.  Males will often give their catch to their mate. 

Common Tern on nesting raft railing

 Rafts will be placed in early May and be removed after the breeding season in late summer.  Funding is provided by a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Lake Protection grant and the Lake Puckaway Protection and Rehabilitation District.  Check the Lake Puckaway blog for weekly updates during the breeding season.

UPDATE: 5/19/2013

Up to ten Common Terns, and two Forster's Terns have been seen using the raft simultaneously  and least for loafing purposes.  The western raft sees most of the use, and appears to have a nest on it with no eggs yet.  Common Tern nests are often just scrapes in the sand, but sometimes they add nearby sticks and grasses.  Rafts will soon get official looking signs.

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Raft B before retrofit

Installing a new floor on Raft B

Nesting rafts built and ready for transport.