One Good Tern Deserves Another

One good Tern deserves another

I recently had a beautiful kayak camping trip in the Everglades of Florida, the perfect opportunity to break in my new 18X. Our group consisted of six kayakers, three of whom were fishing while paddling.

During our second day out, I noticed a flock of Terns following the guys who were fishing. We were approximately 1/2 mile south of Northwest Cape Sable, 16 miles WNW of the Flamingo Ranger station. The birds would dive down from above and pick up the artificial bait that was being trolled behind the kayaks. Unfortunately, one of the birds got hooked in his breast when he released the lure. He ended up in the water struggling to free himself. The Tern was finally brought into a kayak where we found that it been banded (the band revealed it was a Royal Tern, banded on 7/10/2010.)

We were able to remove the hook successfully (luckily it was just under the skin) and the band number and website were recorded to call it in when the trip ended (we received our reply from the USGS Wildlife Center in Patuxent, MD.) Upon release, the Tern attempted to fly but ended up in the water. More than likely exhausted and in shock from the experience. The paddler, who had the Tern in his boat, still had his bait in the water so he started to reel it in. As he reeled in the bait, a big fish hit it – which turned out to be a three foot black tip shark. In all probability the shark was going after the struggling tern, then at the last second went for the bait. Lucky for the Tern and lucky for us (unlucky for the shark)...... we had fresh shark for appetizer that night. It was excellent!

I paddled over to the bird and he was still trying fly off the water. I got my kayak next to the Tern and contemplated on what to do next. I really didn't want to try and pick him up because I knew it would be a struggle for both of us. I maneuvered my boat so the tern was just between the cockpit and bow right next to the boat. I slowly slid my paddle (Epic Mid Wing) under the tern and gently lifted him on to the deck of my 18X. The tern had a difficult time trying to balance on the blade of the paddle and flapped his wings (this probably helped to dry them out) to keep his balance.

After a few minutes I moved the paddle so he could step down on the deck, he but still had a hard time because the deck was slippery. He eventually moved to the front of the kayak where the deck lines converge and could get something to grip and eventually calmed down, so I could paddle towards the shore about a quarter of mile away. During this whole time I was "coaching and talking" with the Tern, trying to calm him! He slipped off at one point but he was quick to get back on the paddle and the boat. Like he knew what to do at that point. My intentions were to get him to the beach. I was getting my camera out again to take more pictures when he took off. He flew low on the water in a climbing left turn and flew over the top of me at 10 or 20 feet. I watched him and could swear he looked down at me when he passed overhead. I followed him as he gained altitude, till he disappeared from view over the Everglades coast. He looked like he would survive the ordeal. I estimate he spent 30 to 40 minutes with me and it was definitely the highlight of the trip!

As my friends said: "It was a good Tern of events." I thought so also.

- Cliff Alfiche