​Project Goals (2003-2013)
  • Re-establish a secure nesting site for endangered Roseate terns on an island in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia.
  • Restore a broader distribution of Roseate terns by establishing at least one more managed colony.
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Coastal Action initiated our Roseate Tern Recovery Project (RTRP) in 2003. Recovery efforts focused first on Quaker Island (2004-2007) with little success due to mink predation, and then later on Grassy Island (2010-2012) again with little success due to a variety of factors.  Throughout this time, 2004 to 2012, only one pair of Roseate terns were observed in 2011. 

Coastal Action ended the RTRP in 2013, when the federal government decided to focus recovery efforts on the established Roseate tern colonies on Country Island and North Brother Island.
For more information please contact our Executive Director, Brooke Nodding, at brooke@coastalaction.org.
​The Roseate Tern in Nova Scotia
​Historically, one-third of the Canadian Roseate tern population nested on Grassy Island in Mahone Bay. In the mid 1990’s, this population sharply declined until there were no known nesting pairs remaining in this area. As of 2018, Country Island and The Brothers Islands no longer support nesting Roseate tern colonies. One small colony has recently established itself on Gull Island in Lobster Bay.