Mahone Bay once supported a third of the Roseate Tern population, but the colony was abandoned in the mid-1990's. When the Recovery Team recommended to establish a third Roseate Tern colony, Mahone Bay was thought to be the best location.
Efforts were deployed to create a new colony on Quaker Island in the spring of 2003. As of June 2004, there were 25 active Common Tern nests on the island. Two Roseates were seen that year but none nested on Quaker Island. By 2006, the project to restore terns on Quaker Island was abandonned because of a lack of success. In 2007-2009, the Bluenose Coastal Action Foundation focused work more broadly in Mahone Bay to learn more about terns and to educate the public.
Work is underway to determine whether a new site to establish a third managed colony can be identified.
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