News Release

Least Terns Return to St. Croix and Buck Island

News Release Date: April 29, 2020

Contact: Zandy Hillis-Starr, 340-773-1460

St. Croix, US Virgin Islands – Buck Island Reef National Monument is announcing the return of Least Terns to Buck Island’s West Beach. 

Buck Island Reef National Monument is one of fifteen known nesting sites on St. Croix for the least tern, Sterna antillarum antillarum, a locally protected migratory sea bird. Every year, between April and May, the least terns return to St. Croix to nest, and typically choose West Beach at Buck Island as one of these nesting spots.

A group of about 20 adults has arrived at Buck Island and is establishing their nesting colony on the southeastern end of West Beach. The colony can grow to over 100 birds. To ensure protection for the colony, eggs, and chicks the NPS has closed the southeastern section of beach from the sand spur point to the pier (south). The area is marked with signs, ropes/stakes, and warning tape.

The terns lay small speckled, sand-colored eggs in shallow depressions on the open beach. Both adults take turns sitting on the eggs, foraging for food, and protecting and incubating the eggs. They are easily disturbed by people walking nearby and will leave the eggs and fly toward the invader. Every time a tern flies off the nest during the day, the eggs or chicks are exposed to excessive heat from direct sunlight and to possible predation.

We ask that visitors to the park adhere to the closure and not walk toward or around the closed area. The NPS has allowed multiple use activities to continue alongside the tern nesting, however the NPS Superintendent will be forced to close the beach if the colony success is threatened (36 CFR Sec. 1.5 Closures and Public Use Limits).

The least tern area is CLOSED to all pedestrians;
Do Not approach area; Do Not walk through or swim along shoreline.

The least tern nesting area on Buck Island Reef NM is unique to the Virgin Islands. It is the only area where the birds have no threat from vehicles, dogs, and other non-native predators. The only danger to the terns nesting success seems to be from human disturbance and dogs and other non-native animals illegally on the beach in the park. We would like to remind our visiting public that dogs, other pets, and other non-native animals are NOT ALLOWED in the waters or on land at the Monument. This is necessary to protect wildlife and public health and safety. NPS advises our Buck Island Reef NM visitors to NOT bring dogs or any other pets or animals to the park.

Please direct any questions or reports of any violations to the National Park Service Law Enforcement Rangers or Resource Management, call [phone], 8-4:30 pm. After 4:30 pm please call [phone].