Breeding Success of the Common Tern on the North Shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence in 1961 and 1962

Colonies of the common tern, Sterna hirundo, occur on many of the small islands off the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In 1961 and 1962 the author had the opportunity to observe a number of colonies near the mouth of the Nabisipi River, 50°14'N, 62°13'W. It was evident that breeding success in the colonies can change greatly from year to year. The breeding in 1962 was an almost complete failure and contrasted sharply with that in 1961. Annual recruitment in the tern colonies is very much influenced by weather and perhaps also by egg collecting. ..