TERN REPORT - 2026 - Ted C. D'Eon
LOBSTER BAY - SOUTHWEST NOVA SCOTIA


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  • The Brothers as seen from Lower West Pubnico. (2005 Ted D'Eon photo)
    The Brothers as seen from Lower West Pubnico. (Old 2005 photo by me from my paraglider)

    The Brothers are two tiny islands about 1 km west of Lower West Pubnico, Nova Scotia, Canada.
    They are owned by the province and were designated a wildlife management area in April 2007.
    Access to them during nesting season (April 1 to Aug. 31) is by permit only.


    This report will mostly cover work being done on North Brother.

    Work on these islands is done in cooperation with Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) and the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables (NSDNRR). - Ted D'Eon

    THE BROTHERS, Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia
    THE BROTHERS, Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia





    OBSERVATIONS:

    The following is a chronological listing of our 2026 work with terns of the Lobster Bay area in general, but in particular, with the Roseate Terns (ROST) of The Brothers. The report is mostly the work carried out by Alexis Saulnier, Luc Bilodeau and Dr. Shawn Craik. It also includes tern observations from other professionals working on these islands, as well as observations from local residents. - Ted D'Eon

    April 26, 2026 - North Brother

    This morning six of us left the shore at the end of Rock Road, Lower West Pubnico and headed out to North Brother on a beautiful morning, perfect for the job at hand.

    The crew consisted of Shawn Craik with his wife Amélie, Alexis Saulnier, Luc Bilodeau, Geneviève Gauthier and me.

    -----------------------

    Dr. Shawn Craik is a biology professor at Université Sainte-Anne, Church Point, Nova Scotia.

    Alexis Saulnier is a former student of Professor Shawn Craik, now working on her Masters at Acadia University, Wolfville, NS. Her Masters involves tern foraging by species and the food they bring back to the colony, and much more!

    Luc Bilodeau is the technician of this "tern colony" team. He runs the boat, does the photography for leg bands, etc.,and the heavy lifting. He is also Alexis' partner in life.

    Geneviève Gauthier is a graduate student at Université Sainte-Anne, studing waterfowl.

    -----------------------

    The plywood blind is still in good shape and the 72 Roseate Tern nesting shelters inside survived the winter well!

    The island hasn't changed much since last year other than there is now a little less soil at the southern end. The gang worked hard to remove much of the weeds; these were placed along the shore below the high tide line; hopefully they'll wash away.

    And then the numbered nesting boxes were strategically placed so all the numbers could all be seen and read from the blind.

    Seven rectangular plots were identified and sprayed with a saline solution to see if this would reduce the unwanted vegetation (especially wild radish) growing among the nesting area; the spray would be repeated two more times. Also, seven "control" plots were identified where no weed managenent would be done, for later comparison with the saline sprayed plots.

    It was a lot of work, but with a great team, all went well. Thank you, crew!

    Great crew and a job well done! Thank you all.

    Some photos from this morning

    And, we're on our way - April 26 2026 - photo by Ted D'Eon
    And, we're on our way - April 26 2026 - photo by Ted D'Eon

    Alexis Saulnier and Luc Bilodeau leaving the mainland for North Brother
    Alexis Saulnier and Luc Bilodeau leaving the mainland for North Brother - April 26 2026 - photo by Ted D'Eon

    Our landing on North Brother - April 26 2026 - photo by Ted D'Eon
    Our landing on North Brother - April 26 2026 - photo by Ted D'Eon

    The tidal
    The tidal "hollow" on North Brother (from the north, looking south) - April 26 2026 - photo by Ted D'Eon

    My old plywood blind survived another winter
    My old plywood blind survived another winter - North Brother - April 26 2026 - photo by Ted D'Eon

    The south end of the island (looking southeast) - North Brother - April 26 2026
    The south end of the island (looking southeast) - North Brother - April 26 2026 - photo by Ted D'Eon

    The south end of the island (looking north) - North Brother - April 26 2026
    The south end of the island (looking north) - North Brother - April 26 2026 - photo by Ted D'Eon

    Alexis posing on the south end of the island
    Alexis posing on the south end of the island - North Brother - April 26 2026 - photo by Ted D'Eon

    Amélie, Shawn, and Geneviève cleaning up old vegetation
    Amélie, Shawn, and Geneviève cleaning up old vegetation - North Brother - April 26 2026 - photo by Ted D'Eon

    Luc and Alexis setting up the Roseate Tern nesting shelters
    Luc and Alexis setting up the Roseate Tern nesting shelters - North Brother - April 26 2026 - photo by Ted D'Eon

    More cleanup and setting up - North Brother - April 26 2026
    More cleanup and setting up - North Brother - April 26 2026 - photo by Ted D'Eon

    Luc getting fine gravel substrate for the nesting shelters
    Luc getting fine gravel substrate for the nesting shelters - North Brother - April 26 2026 - photo by Ted D'Eon

    Making a base for shelter placement - North Brother - April 26 2026
    Making a base for shelter placement - North Brother - April 26 2026 - photo by Ted D'Eon

    Spraying salt solution in the designated rectangular plots
    Spraying salt solution in the designated rectangular plots - North Brother - April 26 2026 - photo by Ted D'Eon

    More spraying and setting up - North Brother
    More spraying and setting up - North Brother - April 26 2026 - photo by Ted D'Eon

    Most of the nesting shelters are in place - North Brother
    Most of the nesting shelters are in place - North Brother - April 26 2026 - photo by Ted D'Eon

    Aerial photo of North Brother - April 26 2026 - photo by Luc Bilodeau
    Aerial photo of North Brother - April 26 2026 - photo by Luc Bilodeau

    the placement of the nesting shelters
    If you look close enough, you will see the placement of the nesting shelters
    North Brother - April 26 2026 - photo by Luc Bilodeau

    May 3?, 2026 - First report of terns in the area.

    On Friday, May 8, 2026, I had a conversation with a lobster fisherman who had just tied up at the Dennis Point wharf. He told me the first terns he had seen this spring were from the mainland at Pubnico Point "last weekend".

    The weather and sea conditions had not been very good for fishing over the past couple of weeks so they had only gone out a few times. This was Friday, May 8, and the previous time they had gone out fishing was on Saturday, May 2. So, from that, I assume that by "last weekend" he must have meant Sunday, May 3.

    If and when I get a better date for the first arrival of terns, I'll update this post.

    Ted


    May 9, 2026 - Email from Alix d'Entremont.

    Terns on May 9, 2026

    Kathleen MacAulay, Logan Moore and I left Abbott's Harbour at low tide at about 7 am on May 9, and checked North Brother Island for terns. We estimated about 76 Commons and 4 Arctics, but no Roseates. There were 2 Roseates foraging with about 40 Commons at a place called Hoptoad Ledge near Forbes Point. We didn't see any terns around Ball Bar.

    We then landed on Bon Portage Island, checked on the alcid colony at Green Island (near Cape Sable Island) and returned to check the Ball Bar area on the way back to Pubnico. The tide was low on our first check in the morning, but by early adternoon, the tide had changed and a strong current had formed at the northern end of Bon Portage and at Ball Bar. A group of about 50 terns were diving at Bon Portage's northern bar including 3 Roseates. From there we looked north and saw an even bigger group at the Ball Bar. An estimated total of 450 terns were foraging or loafing nearby! This is the most terns I've ever seen away from a breeding colony. We counted and estimated from photos that this huge group of terns could have included up to 69 Roseate Terns! At a minimum, there were certainly at least 43 (13 actively foraging + 30 in a single photo of the loafing birds after a flush). We had a similar observation of an early spring large group of terns at Ball Bar on May 12, 2025 (https://ebird.org/checklist/S237001167).

    On our way back to Abbott's Harbour, we stopped to look at North Brother again and saw that there were no terns. They must have all been at the Ball Bar!

    The attached images (below) are all from Ball Bar on May 9, 2026.

    Alix Arthur d'Entremont

    Roseate and Common Terns at Ball Bar, Shelburne County, Nova Scotia
    Roseate and Common Terns at Ball Bar, Shelburne County, Nova Scotia - May 9, 2026 - photo by Alix d'Entremont

    Roseate and Common Terns at Ball Bar, Shelburne County, Nova Scotia
    Roseate and Common Terns at Ball Bar, Shelburne County, Nova Scotia - May 9, 2026 - photo by Alix d'Entremont

    Roseate and Common Terns at Ball Bar, Shelburne County, Nova Scotia
    Roseate and Common Terns at Ball Bar, Shelburne County, Nova Scotia - May 9, 2026 - photo by Alix d'Entremont

    Thank you, Alix, Kathleen, and Logan.


    May 19, 2026 - Email from Alix d'Entremont.

    North Brother Terns on May 18, 2026

    Kathleen MacAulay, Richard Donaldson and I stopped for a quick look from the boat at North Brother in the morning yesterday (May 18) and saw about 400 terns on the island.

    See (https://ebird.org/checklist/S341847799)

    Species observed:
      2 Common Eider
      1 Ruddy Turnstone
     20 Arctic Tern
    265 Common Tern
     15 Roseate Tern
      5 Double-crested Cormorant
    

    Alix Arthur d'Entremont

    Thank you, Alix, Kathleen, and Richard.


    May 20, 2026 - Email from Alix d'Entremont.

    Pubnico Harbour

    There have been about 25 terns on Île Ferrée lately. It does look like a pair of Great Black-backed Gulls are nesting there again which isn't great for the terns.

    I haven't checked on Île Chespêque.

    Thank you, Alix.


    May 24, 2026 - Update from North Brother - Email from Alexis Saulnier

    Here's a short update from NBI. Luc (Bilodeau) and I went on the island this morning to find approximately 250-275 terns with at least 60 Roseates and 8 Arctics.

    I'm glad to say that everything's looking good with the colony: egg laying may have started a bit later than previous years but there are still many Common Tern eggs and a few Roseate eggs, the feeding rate seems good with a typical array of early season prey (small lumpfish, mummichog, hake and herring, some sand lance, and various other fish in small quantities), and no signs of predation.

    As usual, we have many returning Roseates that are banded (a full list of bands will be provided later) and we also saw two Common Terns that still have their GPS backpacks (X50 and X57). Unfortunately, the base station hasn't been deployed yet, but we'll let you all know if those tags are still working once we've got everything set up.

    We're looking at approximately the 11th of June for the nest count.

    We'll keep you posted as the season progresses.

    Cheers, Alexis

    Thank you, Alexis and Luc


    May 31, 2026 - Update from North Brother - Email from Alexis Saulnier

    The colony looks healthy and strong, and there are still no signs of predation.

    They (the terns) were quite aggressive while we went through the colony and their behaviour is what we expect to see (i.e., not a lot of feeding while partners switch out incubating the egg(s)).

    We have 62 Roseate nests, including four active out-of-box nests and a big increase in Arctic Tern nests to at least 15 nests. We also have another returning GPS tagged tern (Roseate Tern band NB4) and we were able to deploy the GPS base station thanks to Jen and Sarah's quick work to get us a functioning one.

    Julie (McKnight) will be coming to help us out later this week as we attempt to trap these GPS birds to remove their backpacks.

    See a list of identified bands below.

    May 16, 2026
    Roseate Tern bands
    
    . BL0 (red band, right leg)
    . BZ0 (red band, right leg)
    . Y85 (red band, left leg)
    . Z29 (red band, left leg)
    -----------------------------
    May 24, 2026
    Roseate Tern bands
    
    . A81 (yellow band, left leg)
    . T42 (yellow band, left leg)
    . VR2 (yellow band, left leg)
    . B19 (red band, right leg)
    . B40 (red band, right leg)
    . B65 (red band, left leg)
    . B76 (red band, left leg)
    . B95 (red band, right leg)
    . BB1 (red band, right leg)
    . BJ0 (red band, right leg)
    . BU0 (red band, right leg)
    . BX0 (red band, right leg)
    . L03 (red band, left leg)
    . L12 (red band, right leg)
    . L13 (red band, left leg)
    . L35 (red band, left leg)
    . L36 (red band, left leg)
    . L53 (red band, right leg)
    . L95 (red band, left leg)
    . LU0 (red band, right leg)
    . LL0 (red band, right leg)
    . LR0 (red band, right leg)
    . Z00 (red band, right leg)
    . Z07 (red band, right leg)
    . Z49 (red band, left leg)
    . Z52 (red band, right leg)
    . Z58 (red band, right leg)
    . Z61 (red band, right leg)
    . Z62 (red band, right leg)
    . Z64 (red band, right leg)
    . Z70 (red band, right leg)
    . Z72 (red band, left leg)
    . Z79 (red band, left leg)
    . Z86 (red band, right leg)
    . Z93 (red band, right leg)
    . 1V5T (metal field readable, left leg)
    
    Common Tern bands
    
    . Orange flag
    . X48 (white band, left leg)
    . X50 (white band, left leg)
    . X57 (white band, left leg)
    -----------------------------
    May 31, 2026
    Roseate Tern bands
    
    . NB4 (yellow band, left leg)
    . T83 (yellow band, left leg)
    . B12 (red band, right leg)
    . RR3 (yellow band, right leg)
    . B75 (red band, left leg)
    

    Thank you, Alexis and Luc.

    Great to see so many Roseate Tern nests and as well, so many leg bands identified! Great work!


    June 3, 2026 – North Brother – by Daphnée Ouellet

    I made my first visit of the year to NBI with Alexis and Luc for some observations and a tour of the island.

    The colony was loud and aggressive.

    We marked some additional ARTE, COTE and ROST nests in the colony, bringing our total ROST count to 64 nests.

    Alexis and I managed to identify some new bands and affiliate couples to specific nests.

    New spotted ROST bands : 
    -	RX6 (yellow field readable, right leg), with GPS deployed 2025
    -	NB3 (yellow field readable, right leg), with GPS deployed 2025
    -	Z26 (red field readable, left leg)
    -	BC1 (red field readable, right leg)
    -	LU1 (red field readable, right leg)
    

    Team: Alexis Saulnier, Luc Bilodeau & Daphnée Ouellet

    Thank you, Daphnée, Alexis and Luc.


    June 4, 2026 – North Brother – by Daphnée Ouellet

    We got to the island for a day of trapping. Prioritizing birds with slipped metal bands causing injuries to their feet and those still wearing GPS deployed in the previous year.

    New shelter traps were used to capture the 5 following ROST :

    -	NH8 (yellow field readable, left leg), formerly B76
    -	NH9 (yellow field readable, right leg), formerly had a metal federal band (9822-51571) 
        on its left leg.
        Note: This band had slipped and was crushing the bird's foot.
        We removed the metal band and added a plastic field readable (NH9) on it's right leg. 
        To avoid having another injury, no new metal band was placed on it's left leg.
    
    -	NJ0 (yellow field readable, left leg), formerly unbanded
    -	NB3, GPS removal
    -	RX6, GPS removal
    

    New plexiglass face trap - obtained by GoPro footage, North Brother - June 4, 2026

    The tern's body conditions after removing the bands and GPS were assessed, and then the birds were released.

    The colony seemed strong, and quite a few fish were seen flying overhead during our visit.

    New identified ROST band: BE1 (red field readable, right leg)

    Team: Kathleen MacAulay, Julie McKnight, Alexis Saulnier, Luc Bilodeau & Daphnée Ouellet

    Thank you, Daphnée, Alexis, Luc, Julie, and Kathleen.


    June 5, 2026 - Visit to Gull Island - from a text received from Alix d'Entremont.

    About 90 or more terns there; no Roseates.

    Two sheep are also there; the shepherd told him they would soon be removed so they wouldn't trample the tern nests.

    Thank you, Alix.


    June 7, 2026 - Pubnico Harbour - from Alix d'Entremont's Facebook page.

    Kathleen MacAulay and I launched the Zodiac in Pubnico Harbour this afternoon at high tide. Our goal was to check on the tern colonies at Île Ferrée and Île Chespêque.

    We estimated 70 on Île Ferrée and 27 on Île Chespêque. Like previous years, Île Ferrée also had a Great Black-backed Gull pair that nested and we saw two young on the island today.

    There was still a small group of scoters in Pubnico Harbour that included 9 Surfs and one White-winged.

    Thank you, Alix and Kathleen.

    Some of Alix's photos from today

    Common Tern at Île Ferrée, Pubnico Harbour
    Common Tern at Île Ferrée, Pubnico Harbour
    - June 7, 2026 - photo by Alix d'Entremont

    Female Common Eider at Île Chespêque, Pubnico Harbour
    Female Common Eider at Île Chespêque, Pubnico Harbour
    - June 7, 2026 - photo by Alix d'Entremont

    Kathleen_MacAulay at Île Chespêque, Pubnico Harbour
    Kathleen_MacAulay at Île Chespêque, Pubnico Harbour
    - June 7, 2026 - photo by Alix d'Entremont

    Male Surf Scoter, Pubnico Harbour
    Male Surf Scoter, Pubnico Harbour
    - June 7, 2026 - photo by Alix d'Entremont

    June 9, 2026 – North Brother – by Daphnée Ouellet

    A busy full day of trapping on the island! The goal was to deploy new 10 GPS backpacks on ROST.

    Here is a breakdown of our captures: 
    
    ROST
    -	NJ1 (yellow field readable, left leg), formerly L03, federal band removal due to injury
    -	NJ2 (yellow field readable, left leg), formerly B95, newly deployed GPS
    -	NJ3 (yellow field readable, left leg), formerly unbanded, newly deployed GPS
    -	NJ4 (yellow field readable, left leg), formerly B75, newly deployed GPS
    -	NJ5 (yellow field readable, left leg), formerly unbanded, newly deployed GPS
    -	NJ6 (yellow field readable, left leg), formerly LR0, newly deployed GPS
    -	NJ7 (yellow field readable, left leg), formerly L53, newly deployed GPS
    -	NJ8 (yellow field readable, left leg), formerly unbanded, newly deployed GPS
    -	NJ9 (yellow field readable, left leg), formerly unbanded, newly deployed GPS
    -	NK0 (yellow field readable, left leg), formerly unbanded, newly deployed GPS
    -	NK1 (yellow field readable, left leg), formerly unbanded, newly deployed GPS
    COTE
    -	X57 (white field readable, left leg), GPS removal
    
    

    Terns! - North Brother - June 9, 2026
    Terns! - North Brother - June 9, 2026 - photo by Daphnée Ouellet

    Some new ARTE nests were identified on the south end of the western ridge, including a hybrid COTE and ARTE nest that we've marked for observations.

    New identified ROST band: L40 (red field readable, left leg)

    Team: Sarah Neima, Kathleen MacAulay, Julie McKnight, Shawn Craik, Alexis Saulnier, Luc Bilodeau & Daphnée Ouellet

    Thank you, Daphnée, Alexis, Luc, Julie, Sarah, Kathleen and Shawn.


    June 10, 2026 – North Brother – by Daphnée Ouellet

    Census day!

    Despite some empty scrapes (presumed egg predation) being seen for all three species as we made our way around the island, we were pleasantly surprised by the total number of nests on North Brother Island this year.

    
    COTE :    577 nests
    ARTE :     15 nests
    COTE/ARTE : 1 nest
    ROST :     62 nests
    - TOTAL : 655 nests (579 in 2025)
    

    In addition to eggs, our first 2 COTE chicks for the year were hatched. 3 Common Eider ducklings were also found hanging out in a ROST box near their nest.

    Though the colony was aggressive and loud during our visit, a few terns managed to land on our heads, which was quite a welcome surprise!

    With the weather looking uncooperative for the rest of the week, the terns will get a well-deserved break from us until our next visit early next week.

    Team: Sarah Neima, Shawn Craik, Julie McKnight, Alexis Saulnier, Luc Bilodeau & Daphnée Ouellet

    Thank you, Sarah, Shawn, Julie, Alexis, Luc, and Daphnée




    Tern Nests Numbers on The Brothers - 1990 to 2026
      N. Brother S. Brother totals
    June 7, 1990 302 28 330
    June 11, 1991 441 13 454
    June 11, 1992 413 0 413
    June 9, 1993 367 0 367
    June 8, 1994 380 0 380
    June 14, 1995 457 0 457
    June 16, 1996 554 12 566
    June 12, 1997 630 120 750
    June 11, 1998 452 151 603
    June 7, 1999 399 0 399
    June 10, 2000 491 0 491
    June 9, 2001 817 63 880
    June 13, 2002 655 178 833
    June 13, 2003 648 102 750
    June 12, 2004 526 0 526
    June 13, 2005 445 0 445
    June 13, 2006 616 0 616
    June 10, 2007 365 0 365
    June 8, 2008 590 0 590
      N. Brother S. Brother totals
    June 13, 2009 546 0 546
    June 12, 2010 714 0 714
    June 11, 2011 725 0 725
    June 8, 2012 658 0 658
    June 10, 2013 680 0 680
    June 9, 2014 731 0 731
    June 12, 2015 722 0 722
    June 11, 2016 661 0 661
    June 12, 2017 165 0 165
    June 16, 2018 074 0 074
    June 7, 2019 200 0 200
    June 14, 2020 713 0 713
    June 11, 2021 893 0 893
    June 12, 2022 1032 0 1032
    June 9, 2023 676 0 676
    June 11, 2024 724 0 724
    June 10, 2025 585 0 585
    June 10, 2026 655 0 655
           

    The number of tern nests (Common, Arctic, and Roseate) on The Brothers
    A yearly comparison usually done between June 8 and June 12
    Please note: The Roseate Terns may not have
    finished nesting at the time of these yearly nest counts.

    ROST nest numbers on The Brothers - 1991 to 2025


    Field-readable Roseate Tern leg bands - North Brother
    (Unless listed otherwise) - 2026. (See below)


    Resighted and new leg bands on Roseate Terns from North Brother in 2026
    (Unless listed otherwise)
    May 24, 2026
    Yellow A81 left leg -
    1332-72681, Sex unknown
    banded as a chick 6-20-18 at Stratton Island, Maine
    Seen on North Brother in 2023
    May 31, 2026
    Red B12 right leg -
    1172-79313, Female (from head-bill length)
    Banded on North Brother as an adult on June 21, 2012.
    Also seen on Gull Island in 2017 and 2018,
    and on NB in 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2024.
    May 24, 2026
    Red B19 right leg -
    xxxx-xxxxx, Sex unknown
    Seen on North Brother in 2023 and 2024
    and at Sunken Ledge in 2023
    May 24, 2026
    Red B40 right leg -
    1172-79345, Presumed Male
    Banded as an adult on North Brother on June 20, 2013
    Also seen on North Brother in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022
    2023, 2024 and 2025, and on Gull Island in 2017.
    and on Northern End Ledge
    (near Vigneau Island) in 2025
    May 24, 2026
    Red B65 left leg -
    0802-04928, Male (from head-bill length)
    Banded as a chick on North Brother on July 16, 2007
    Previously seen on North Brother
    in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025,
    and on Gull Island in 2017 and 2018, and at Ball Bar in 2024.
    May 24, 2026
    Red BB1 right leg -
    xxxx-xxxxx, Male
    Seen on North Brother in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025
    Probably same individual identified as B81 on May 23, 2024?
    June 3, 2026
    Red BC1 right leg -
    9822-53286, Sex unknown
    Banded as a chick on North Brother in 2019
    Seen on North Brother in 2023 and 2024
    June 4, 2026
    Red BE1 right leg -
    1392-31413, Sex unknown
    Banded as a chick on North Brother on July 15, 2019.
    Seen on Cape Sable and at Sunken Ledge in 2022.
    Seen on North Brother in 2023 and 2024.
    Seen on Northern End Ledge
    (near Vigneau Island) in 2025
    May 24, 2026
    Red BJ0 right leg -
    xxxx-xxxxx, Sex unknown
    Seen on North Brother in 2024 and 2025.
    May 16, 2026
    Red BL0 right leg -
    9822-53291, Sex unknown
    Seen at Sunken Ledge on July 31, 2022
    and July 13, 2023
    Seen on North Brother in 2024 and 2025
    and on Northern End Ledge
    (near Vigneau Island) in 2025.
    May 24, 2026
    Red BU0 right leg -
    9822-53296, Sex unknown
    Banded as a chick on North Brother in 2019, 2022, 2024 and 2025
    Seen at Hawk Inlet in 2022
    May 24, 2026
    Red BX0 right leg -
    xxxx-xxxxx, Sex unknown
    No more information
    May 16, 2026
    Red BZ0 right leg -
    xxxx-xxxxx, Sex unknown
    Banded on North Brother
    Seen on North Brother in 2024 and 2025.
    Seen at Cape Sable on July 12, 2023
    May 24, 2026
    Red L12 right leg -
    9822-51546, Sex unknown
    Banded as a chick on North Brother, Nova Scotia on July 10, 2015.
    Nested on Gull Island in 2018.
    Seen on North Brother in 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
    Seen on Cape Sable in 2023 and 2024
    May 24, 2026
    Red L13 right leg -
    9822-51547, Sex unknown
    Banded as a chick on North Brother, Nova Scotia on July 10, 2015.
    Seen on Peases Island in 2018,
    and on North Brother in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
    Paired with L87 on North Brother in 2020.
    May 24, 2026
    Red L35 left leg -
    1172-79448, Sex unknown
    Originally banded C53 as a chick on Country Island in 2012.
    Must have lost its C53 band.
    Rebanded on North Brother with PFR L35 in 2017.
    Observed on the Bear Point Thrums in 1018
    and on North Brother in 2019, 2022 and 2023.
    Nest R42 on North Brother in 2022.
    May 24, 2026
    Red L36 left leg -
    9822-51567, Male (from head-bill length)(
    Banded on North Brother as an adult on June 22, 2015. Seen on
    Gull Island in 2017, on Peases Island in 2018,
    on NB in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2024,
    on Goodwin's Island (near Woods Harbour) in 2021,
    on Cape Cod on July 26, 2021.
    and on Ball Bar in 2025
    June 9, 2026
    Red L40 left leg -
    9822-51569, Female (from head-bill length)
    Banded as an adult on North Brother on June 22, 2015.
    Seen on Gull Island in 2017,
    and on North Brother in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
    and on Ball Bar in 2024
    May 24, 2026
    Red L95 left leg -
    9822-52916, Female (laid an egg)
    Banded on North Brother as an adult on June 15, 2017.
    Observed on Gull Island in 2018, and on NB in 2019, 2020, 2023, and 2025
    and on Cape Sable in July 2021.
    May 24, 2026
    Red LU0 right leg -
    1392-31477, Sex unknown
    Banded as a chick on North Brother in 2019
    Seen on North Brother in 2022, 2023. 2024 and 2025.
    June 3, 2026
    Red LU1 right leg -
    9822-53293, Sex unknown
    Banded as a chick on North Brother in 2019
    Seen on North Brother in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.
    Seen on Northern End Ledge (near Vigneau Island) in 2025
    June 3, 2026
    June 4, 2026
    Yellow NB3 right leg -
    xxxx-xxxxx, Sex unknown
    Still carrying a GPS backpack from 2025 on June 3, 2026
    GPS backpack removed on June 4, 2026
    May 31, 2026
    Yellow NB4 left leg -
    xxxx-xxxxx, Sex unknown
    Still carrying a GPS backpack from 2025 on May 31, 2026
    May 24, 2026
    as Red B76

    June 4, 2026
    as Yellow NH8

    Yellow NH8 left leg - Formerly, Red B76 left leg -
    9822-51512, Sex unknown
    Banded as an adult in 2014 on North Brother.
    Encountered on North Brother in 2016, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
    Encountered in 2017 and 2018 on Gull Island
    and at Sunken Ledge in 2023.
    Nested with an unbanded bird in 2018.
    seen on Northern End Ledge (near Vigneau Island) in 2025
    June 4, 2026
    Yellow NH9 right leg -
    xxxx-xxxxx, Sex unknown
    Metal Federal band (9822-51571) had slipped down and was crushing
    the bird's left foot, so this band was removed on June 4, 2026,
    and a Yellow plastic NH9 was placed on its right leg.
    June 4, 2026
    Yellow NJ0 left leg -
    xxxx-xxxxx, Sex unknown
    Banded as an adult on North Brother on June 4, 2026
    May 24, 2026
    as Red L03

    June 9, 2026
    as Yellow NJ1

    Yellow NJ1 left leg - Formerly, Red L03 left leg -
    9822-51537, Female (from head-bill length)
    Banded as an adult on North Brother,
    Nova Scotia, June 25, 2015.
    Also seen on N. Brother in 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025,
    on Gull Island in 2017, and on the Bear Point Thrums in 2018.
    Paired with L05 in 2022.
    Metal Federal band was removed on June 9, 2026 due to injury,
    the Red L03 plastic band was replaced with a Yellow NJ1 plastic band
    May 24, 2026
    as Red B95 on right leg

    June 9, 2026
    as Yellow NJ2

    Yellow NJ2 left leg - Formerly, Red B95 right leg -
    9822-51530, Sex unknown
    Banded on North Brother as a chick July 11, 2014.
    Observed on Gull Island in 2018,
    and on North Brother in 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024,
    and on Cape Sable in 2021.
    Formerly Red B95 on its right leg.
    Rebanded (Yellow NJ2) on June 9, 2026
    when new GPS backpack was deployed
    .
    June 9, 2026
    Yellow NJ3 left leg -
    xxxx-xxxxx, Sex unknown
    Banded as an adult on North Brother on June 9, 2026 (previously unbanded).
    GPS backpack deployed on this bird on June 9, 2026.
    May 24, 2026
    as Red B75 on left leg

    June 9, 2026
    as Yellow NJ4

    Yellow NJ4 left leg - Formerly, Red B75 left leg -
    9822-51511, Sex unknown
    Banded as an adult in 2014 on North Brother.
    Encountered on North Brother in 2015, 2016, 2019, 2022 and 2023,
    and on Gull Island in 2018.
    Nested with B90 on Gull Island in 2018.
    Formerly Red B75 on its left leg.
    Rebanded (Yellow NJ4) on June 9, 2026
    when new GPS backpack was deployed
    .
    June 9, 2026
    Yellow NJ5 left leg -
    xxxx-xxxxx, Sex unknown
    Banded as an adult on North Brother on June 9, 2026 (previously unbanded).
    GPS backpack deployed on this bird on June 9, 2026.
    May 24, 2026
    as Red LR0 on right leg

    June 9, 2026
    as Yellow NJ6 on left leg

    Yellow NJ6 left leg - Formerly, Red LR0 right leg -
    1392-31456, Sex unknown
    Banded as a chick on North Brother in 2019
    Seen on North Brother in 2022, 2023 and 2024
    and at Sunken Ledge in 2023.
    Formerly Red LR0 on its right leg.
    Rebanded (Yellow NJ6 on left leg) on June 9, 2026
    when new GPS backpack was deployed
    .
    May 24, 2026
    as Red L53 on right leg

    June 9, 2026
    as Yellow NJ7 on left leg

    Red NJ7 left leg - Formerly, Red L53 right leg -
    9822-51577, Sex unknown
    Banded on North Brother as a chick on July 5, 2016.
    Seen on North Brother in 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
    Formerly Red L53 on its right leg.
    Rebanded (Yellow NJ7 on left leg) on June 9, 2026
    when new GPS backpack was deployed
    .
    June 9, 2026
    Yellow NJ8 left leg -
    xxxx-xxxxx, Sex unknown
    Banded as an adult on North Brother on June 9, 2026 (previously unbanded).
    GPS backpack deployed on this bird on June 9, 2026.
    June 9, 2026
    Yellow NJ9 left leg -
    xxxx-xxxxx, Sex unknown
    Banded as an adult on North Brother on June 9, 2026 (previously unbanded).
    GPS backpack deployed on this bird on June 9, 2026.
    June 9, 2026
    Yellow NK0 left leg -
    xxxx-xxxxx, Sex unknown
    Banded as an adult on North Brother on June 9, 2026 (previously unbanded).
    GPS backpack deployed on this bird on June 9, 2026.
    June 9, 2026
    Yellow NK1 left leg -
    xxxx-xxxxx, Sex unknown
    Banded as an adult on North Brother on June 9, 2026 (previously unbanded).
    GPS backpack deployed on this bird on June 9, 2026.
    May 31, 2026
    Yellow RR3 right leg -
    xxxx-xxxxx, Sex unknown
    No more information
    June 3, 2026
    June 4, 2026
    Yellow RX6 right leg -
    xxxx-xxxxx, Sex unknown
    Still carrying a GPS backpack from 2025 on June 3, 2026
    GPS backpack removed on June 4, 2026
    May 31, 2026
    Yellow T42 left leg -
    1332-72742, Female from copulation behaviour
    Banded as a chick on Eastern Egg Rock, Maine, in 2016.
    Seen on North Brother in 2020, 2023 and 2024
    and at Sunken Ledge in 2023.
    May 31, 2026
    Yellow T83 left leg -
    1332-72783, Presumed to be female
    Appeared to be paired with male BA1 in 2023
    Banded as a chick on Eastern Egg Rock, Maine, on June 24, 2016.
    Seen on North Brother in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024 and 2025.
    Paired with L76 on North Brother in 2021.
    Seen on Cape Sable on July 25, 2021
    and on July 4, 2022.
    May 24, 2026
    Yellow VR2 left leg -
    xxxx-xxxxx, Sex unknown
    GPS on its back in 2025
    Seen on North Brother in 2025
    No more information.
    May 16, 2026
    Red Y85 left leg -
    xxxx-xxxxx, Sex unknown
    Seen on North Brother in 2023, 2024 and 2025
    and on Northern End Ledge
    (near Vigneau Island) in 2025.
    May 24, 2026
    Red Z00 right leg -
    1392-31520, Sex unknown
    banded as a chick on North Brother, July 16, 2019
    Seen on North Brother in 2023, 2024 and 2025,
    at Sunken Ledge in 2022 and at Ball Bar in 2024
    May 24, 2026
    Red Z07 right leg -
    1392-31554, Sex unknown
    banded as a chick on North Brother, July 16, 2019
    Seen at Hawk Inlet in July 2022
    Seen on Goodwins Island in 2024
    Seen on North Brother in 2023
    June 3, 2026
    Red Z26 left leg -
    1392-31643, Sex unknown
    Banded as a chick on North Brother on july 16, 2020
    Seen on North Brother in 2024
    May 16, 2026
    Red Z29 left leg -
    1392-31647, Sex unknown
    banded as a chick on North Brother, July 16, 2020
    Seen on North Brother in 2023 and 2024.
    Seen on Goodwin's Island in 2024.
    and on Northern End Ledge
    (near Vigneau Island) in 2025
    May 24, 2026
    Red Z49 left leg -
    xxxx-xxxxx, Sex unknown
    No more information.
    Seen on North Brother in 2024
    May 24, 2026
    Red Z52 right leg -
    xxxx-xxxxx, Sex unknown
    No more information
    May 24, 2026
    Red Z58 right leg -
    xxxx-xxxxx, Sex unknown
    No more information
    May 24, 2026
    Red Z61 right leg -
    xxxx-xxxxx, Sex unknown
    Seen on North Brother in 2024 and 2025
    and on Northern End Ledge
    (near Vigneau Island) in 2025
    May 24, 2026
    Red Z62 right leg -
    xxxx-xxxxx, Sex unknown
    Banded as a chick on North Brother in 2021
    Seen on Cape Sable on July 25, 2021.
    Also seen on North Brother in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
    May 24, 2026
    Red Z64 right leg -
    1392-31674, Sex unknown
    Banded as a chick on North Brother on July 13, 2021
    Seen on North Brother in 2024 and 2025.
    Seen at Sunken Ledge in 2024,
    and on Northern End Ledge
    (near Vigneau Island) in 2025
    May 24, 2026
    Red Z70 right leg -
    xxxx-xxxxx, Sex unknown
    No more information.
    Seen on North Brother in 2024
    May 24, 2026
    Red Z72 left leg -
    1392-31683, Sex unknown
    Banded as a chick on North Brother on June 12, 2022.
    Seen on Goodwins Island in 2024
    May 24, 2026
    Red Z79 left leg -
    1392-31689, Sex unknown
    Banded as a chick on North Brother in 2022.
    Seen on North Brother in 2025.
    May 24, 2026
    Red Z86 rightt leg -
    1392-31696, Sex unknown
    Banded as a chick on North Brother on June 29, 2022
    Seen on North Brother in 2025.
    May 24, 2026
    Red Z93 right leg -
    xxxx-xxxxx, Sex unknown
    No more information
    May 24, 2026
    Metal 1V5T left leg -
    xxxx-xxxxx, Sex unknown
    No more information
    Field-readable Common Tern leg bands - North Brother (unless listed otherwise) - 2026. (See below)


    Resighted and new leg bands on Common Terns from North Brother in 2026
    (Unless listed otherwise)
    May 24, 2026
    Orange flag ? leg -
    xxxx-xxxxx, Sex unknown
    A Common Tern with an orange flag on its left leg
    was seen on North Brother in May 2024 and in May 2025.
    May 24, 2026
    White X48 left leg -
    xxxx-xxxxx, Sex unknown
    No more information
    May 24, 2026
    White X50 left leg -
    xxxx-xxxxx, Sex unknown
    Still carrying a GPS backpack from 2025 on May 24, 2026
    May 24, 2026
    June 9, 2026
    White X57 left leg -
    xxxx-xxxxx, Sex unknown
    Still carrying a GPS backpack from 2025 on May 24, 2026
    GPS backpack was removed on June 9, 2026.


    Ted C. D'Eon

    P.O. Box 14
    Middle West Pubnico
    Nova Scotia B0W 2M0
    Canada
    phone (home)1-902-762-2097
             (cellular)1-902-749-6883

    E-Mail to: ted509@gmail.com © Ted C. D'Eon, 2026