The least tern is a rare species due to its limited population numbers. The total population of the least term is estimated to be around 18,000. It’s natural habitat is in Central and South America, and it is a very small bird with an interesting black circle on its head. At the end of April every year, they fly to the sunny shores of California to breed their offspring. Not many of them come to the Bay Area, however. When they do come, you have to be ready and prepared to meet them. The Bay Area Bird Conservation Society sets up habitats and tern hatch areas along the sand on the beaches. Surrounded by iron nets, the iron gates are locked to prevent human access. They also clean up the tern’s homes, clearing surrounding bushes and grass while preventing predators from preying on the terns. Predators include foxes, wild dogs, egrets. Weeding is also done, but it is hard work. To further protect the nests, shells are sprinkled on the nests to camouflage them and protect them from predators. 

2 months later, our observation team went to look at the habitats to see if the terns had come. Every intersection has an iron gate with a combination lock ,and it takes up to 8 times to open and lock the gate. The tall gate is fox-proof. After 8 turns, I entered and finally reached the closest observation point allowed by the tern habitat. It was still quite far away, and we had to use professional optical equipment and telescopes to see. I was able to spot a tern that was active in the nest, and eggs that were laid in the habitat. For a novice, it can only be found when the habitat is active. The main goal of observation is to see if there are any natural enemies that can threaten the protected area. On that day, I spotted two egrets in the area which were predators of the tern. The expert I was with told me that if they saw predators, they would be reported to the government, and the government would send personnel from the environmental protection department to remove them. A total of two groups of predators, egrets and hares, were reported.  

It surprises me that everyday, we are doing the best we can to save endangered species. Years ago, dams and reservoirs that diverted rivers destroyed the tern’s traditional habitat. It is said that in the 1980s, some bird populations reached as low as only 2,000 individuals. When encountering natural enemies, there is a high probability of not being able to find food. Therefore, the survival rate of terns is very low. I love the environment of the Bay Area, and am trying my best as part of the organization to reverse the negative effects that our way of life has impacted these beautiful animals. Joining a bird protection association is great for me, because it is great to see the progress we’ve made in protecting the beautiful species of bird we have in the Bay Area, and see that the population is steadily increasing with our efforts.