DNR EWR QC PT COMMON TERN MONITORING

2026-11-03

Description of Project The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources ( DNR ) Division of Ecological and Water Resources requests proposals for monitoring avian nesting activities on Lake of the Woods . The project focuses on monitoring Common Tern colonies found on Lake of the Woods . Project Goal Install , maintain , and monitor a string grid for a Common Tern nest site at Techout Island near the NW Angle of Lake of the Woods and collect information on numbers of tern nests , eggs , and young to determine productivity within the string grid following protocols provided by the MNDNR . During weekly visits , document observations of ring - billed gulls nesting within and near the string grid . The contractor will begin surveys in May . Surveys will also be conducted at historic Common Tern nesting sites on Lake of the Woods . The contractor will provide a final report including all Common Tern observations , nest and chick counts , and ring - billed gull control activities . Upon successful completion of the 2026 survey and based on funding availability , the contractor may be asked to conduct Common Tern surveys in the 2027 season as well . Common Tern surveys may be repeated between May and August in 2027 . Extension will be considered only if cost is no more than 5 % greater than cost in previous year of the contract . Project Information and Background The Common Tern ( Sterna hirundo ) has been identified as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need ( SGCN ) by the state of Minnesota and is listed as state threatened – a species that is likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range . In Minnesota , habitat loss and degradation associated with water - level fluctuations , vegetation encroachment , and Ring - billed Gull competition are on - going issues . Common Terns are known to breed across four major sites in Minnesota . One of these sites , islands in the Northwest Angle of Lake of the Woods , has been a long - term , stable nesting site for the species . In recent years , this colony has experienced a decline in reproductive success and productivity . Beginning in 2024 , the nongame program hired a contractor to install and monitor a string grid on Techout Island to boost nesting success of Common Terns . In May 2026 , the contractor would continue that work and install a string grid and search other historic nesting areas for Common Terns . The contractor will complete weekly checks to count tern and gull nests within the grid , install trail cameras , control vegetation and gulls as needed , and to check the condition of the grid . Nesting activity is most likely to be found on multiple islands near the NW Angle on Lake of the Woods . It is very important that the contractor be capable and comfortable working from a boat , driving and landing a boat in remote places , and working in hot / humid / wet conditions with biting insects . The contractor will need to communicate regularly with the DNR to provide nesting activity updates .

Minnesota

2026-04-29