In many beachside towns, the shy least tern, easily frightened by human activity, has given up the sandy shores that were once its rookeries. Instead, these tiny terns have taken to colonizing wide, flat rooftops of malls, plazas, and condominiums. Tar and gravel rooftops mimic the color of sand and hide the terns' sand-colored eggs.
Least terns, Federally listed as "threatened," take to rooftops in places such as North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida (where it is estimated that 80% of least terns nest on rooftops.) From dawn until dusk, the noisy parents wheel from rooftop to ocean and back again, bringing food to their peeping babies. The three biggest threats to tern roof colonies are disturbance by people, overheating, and babies falling off the roof. Luckily, all these can be overcome with a bit of care on the part of the people in the buildings.
Avoid Disturbance
Least terns will abandon eggs and even chicks if there is too much human activity near the colony. Typically, these birds nest from April until August. Avoid construction work during these months. If you must go on the roof, move slowly and carefully and get off as quickly as possible. Be sure the roof has adequate drainage to keep rain from disturbing eggs or drowning chicks.
Create Plenty of Shade
Overheating is a common problem for birds nesting on rooftops. You can create shade with plants and sturdy crates. Or, you can build wooden "chick shelters" by attaching two boards into an upside-down "v" shape. Of course, this should be done before nesting begins to avoid disturbing the colony.
Keep Chicks on the Roof
The best way to keep the chicks from falling off the roof is to construct a low fence around the rooftop. However, this must be done before the breeding season starts so as to avoid disturbing the colony. Chicken wire or plastic grid works fine and can easily be removed after the birds have moved on.
If a chick does fall from the roof, it is imperative to return the bird to the roof as soon as possible. It is a myth that a baby bird touched by a human will not be accepted back by its parents. You do not need to know exactly where on the roof the baby came from. Simply return the bird to its colony, and its parents will find it.
If there is not an easy way to access the roof, or you want to be certain not to disturb the colony, you can create a "chick-a-boom" out of a milk or orange juice carton and an expendable pole. First, cut around the top of the carton 3/4 of the way. This creates a flapping door. Then, attach the carton sideways to a paint stirrer, which will then be duct taped to the pole. The "door" should open upwards. The least tern chick goes inside the carton, which is then raised to the rooftop, usually from a window on the top floor. Gently tilt the pole to open the carton's door, and shake the chick out onto the roof.
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