MEW JERSEY 



SeabJrds 



Great black-backed gulls first nested in 1966 (Miller 1966) and have in- 

 creased gradually since then (Table 33). In 1977, only two colonies contained 

 more than 10 pairs (Kane and Farrar 1977). Herring gulls have increased much 

 more rapidly and have begun nesting in large numbers on salt marsh (Spartina 

 alterniflora ) islands (Burger 1977). As a result, intense nest site competi- 

 tion is occurring between this dominant gull and the smaller laughing gull and 

 common tern (Burger 1977, Burger and Shisler 1977). Although laughing gulls 

 appear to be increasing, earlier censusing was inadequate. Fables (1955) 

 listed them as abundant but local in the southern coastal area. The largest 

 colonies are in the marshes near Stone Harbor and Brigantine Refuge. The 

 well-documented usurpation of laughing gull sites on Muskeget Island, Massa- 

 chusetts may be repeated as herring gulls continue to expand their range 

 southward. 



Gull-billed terns have never nested in large numbers in the State. 

 Usually only a few pairs are found at Avalon (Graven's Island) and at one or 

 two other locations (AFN/AB, NJA, Fables 1955), but the total of 19 pairs in 

 1977 may indicate a genuine increase (Kane and Farrar 1977). 



Forster's tern, at its northern coastal limit in New Jersey, probably has 

 been more numerous in the past than early records indicated (McMullen unpubl. 

 notes. Fables 1959). Its tendency to nest in small marsh colonies makes 

 censusing difficult and it may be confused with common terns. 



Common terns have nested abundantly in New Jersey since the 1920' s (Stone 

 1937, Fables 1955, Nisbet 1973, Buckley 1977). The apparent increases in New 

 Jersey and Long Island may in part balance reductions in New England (Nisbet 

 1973). Some common terns have shifted colonies from beach to salt marsh 

 habitats (Burger and Lesser 1977). Drury's (1973) figures, which showed high 

 fluctuations since 1900, may have resulted from incomplete surveys. 



Roseate terns have nested infrequently in small numbers with common terns 

 in the past. By 1937, they had returned as a breeding species but probably 

 were overlooked among the numerous common terns (Stone 1937, Buckley 1977). 

 Never more than five pairs have been reported. None were reported in 1977 

 (Kane and Farrar 1977). 



Least terns, despite the human pressure on barrier beaches, seem to be 

 increasing in the State, contrary to the dire predictions made by Downing 

 (1973) and Fisk (1974). Caution must be used in comparing earlier censuses 

 with recent ones because of the increased interest in the threatened status of 

 the species (Arbib 1976, Galli pers. comm.). Nearly half of all breeding 

 least terns in the State nested at artificial landfill or dredge deposition 

 sites (Kane and Farrar 1977). The New Jersey Division of Fish, Game, and 

 Shel Ifisheries has recommended that this species be placed on the State's 

 Endangered Species list (J. Galli pers. comm.). There are very few nesting 

 colonies that are not vulnerable to human disruption. 



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