Common Tern Research

Dr. Jennifer Arnold and Dr. Stephen Oswald, professors from Penn State University, have been studying the Common Tern population on Gull Island, in Presqu'ile Provincial Park since 2008. This study attempts to determine why the population is dwindling and what measures need to be taken to enhance population numbers.  The Friends of Presqu'ile provide financial assistance for this project.

"Holding on to the Common Tern"

Learn more about the successful measures Jennifer and Stephen have taken leading to an increase in the Common Tern population through their video below.

News Articles  about the Common Tern Study

Return of the (Not So) Common Tern (ON Nature, Summer 2024)

Predator Exclusion Grids Protect Common Terns from Avian Predators (Ontario Birds, December 2023)

2023 Common Tern Report (March 2024)

2022 Common Tern Report (January 2023)

2021 Common Tern Management Report (May 2022)

Autumn Construction Brings Further Hope for Presqu'ile's Terns (May 2021)

Collaboration ensures a future for Presqu'ile's terns (November 2020)

2020 Common Tern Research Update (May, 2020)

Butterball, the not so common Common Tern (Ontario Parks, 2019)

Perseverance pay off: A good "tern" of events (2019) 

Common Tern Conservation (2018) 

Changing the Fortunes of the Common Tern (2018)

Studying Terns and Gulls (2010)