It is June and the terns have returned to Cumberland: two species in particular are most noticeable this time of year. The Least tern is only here during the summer and will nest on the Island. As their name implies, they are the smaller terns, only about nine inches long but feisty little birds that defend their nests against intruders. Least terns form loosely defined rookeries near both ends of the Island; being ground nesting birds they require broad areas of undisturbed high beach for this purpose. Many beaches located in the Least terns nesting range have been developed or otherwise impacted by man so suitable rookery sites and feeding areas are disappearing; making this fish eating bird an endangered species, and also making Cumberland’s beach a more valuable asset for their survival.

The much larger Royal tern is nearly a permanent fixture to Cumberland’s beach with a resident population in the area of almost year round. These elegant looking birds are also breeding this time of year but they do not nest on Cumberland: instead they will form large, dense and noisy rookeries on smaller islands or high sandbars where there are fewer nest raiding raccoons.

Cumberland’s beach however is a good place to observe the courtship process of both Least and Royal terns which can be a drawn out affair with a lot of posturing and body language. Finally when a male thinks he has a prospective mate he will present her with a fish; if she accepts the offer there is a good chance they will mate. Over the years though, I have seen a number of these guys standing around with dried out looking fish in there bills; apparently not all of the girls respond. To some this may sound more like a singles bar than a sandbar, but it is all part of the natural selection process where only one good tern deserves another.