Corps biologists monitor nests at newly-constructed bird island
Pictured: Black-necked stilts
SAVANNAH, Ga. â Biologists with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers count bird nests at a newly-constructed "bird island" at Savannah Harbor Dredged Material Containment Area 12A, May 30, 2014. The Corps completed the 8-acre bird island in March 2014 as an environmental mitigation project for routine operations and maintenance of the Savannah harbor. The island provides valuable bare ground nesting habitat for many species of colonial water birds such as the least tern, gull-billed tern, black-necked stilt, black skimmer, and other shorebirds. During nesting season (April through August), Corps biologists visit the Savannah harbor dredge disposal areas about once a week to monitor nests and hatchlings. This is the first nesting season where birds have used the new bird island, and so far Corps biologists have recorded more than 200 nests. USACE photo by Tracy Robillard. Original public domain image from Flickr