Least terns returning to nest

Flocks of endangered birds known as least terns will be making their way to the Southern California coast soon. And thanks to years of preservation, the feathered friends will have a safe place to rest.
Following many seasons of creating an inhabitable environment for these small migratory shore birds at the wildlife refuge on the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station, volunteers are no longer needed this year.
That’s a good thing.
Navy spokesman Gregg Smith said volunteers did such a good job of picking up trash and weeds in previous years at the small nesting areas on the wetlands, that the volunteers will be moving on to another section of land.
On the last Saturday in March, he said helpers are still needed to pickup trash and remove invasive plants at the Navy property north of the Surfside colony.
The birds that normally nest on beaches or other areas of bare sand should be returning by May to produce offspring until they leave in mid July.
Their endangered status is primarily due to development of beaches and other human use of potential nesting land.
While it is unknown exactly where the birds migrate to after they finish producing offspring in late summer, some have been spotted coming from Central America and Mexico.
The birds fly north every year to small pockets of land, such as on the naval base known as NASA Island. Navy biologists have been forming new ways to keep invasive plants and predators out of the 3-acre site to provide a safe nesting habitat.
The Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge holds monthly tours on the last Saturday of each month in the brightly colored Pelican Van.
The group leaves from 800 Seal Beach Blvd. in Seal Beach at 8:30 a.m. and comes back at noon.
Vans will run from 8:30 to 9 a.m. to transport visitors from the parking lot to the refuge, and will then run from 11 a.m. to noon to take visitors back.
Because the National Wildlife Refuge is located on a Naval Weapons Station, all participants must register at least two days in advance and provide their full name and phone number or they will be denied entrance.
To make an appointment call (562) 598-1024, or to volunteer at the refuge call manager Kirk Gilligan at (562) 598-1024.