Least Tern with Chick and Eggshell
Dimensions: 19.75 x 23.5 (Frame)
Subject: Least Tern, Illustrations
Date: 2016
Artist: Barry Van Dusen
Medium: Watercolor on paper
Artist Note: This artwork was created for Van Dusen's Mass Audubon residency project. He visited Sampsons Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Barnstable on July 11, 2016.
BOAT TRIP!
Sampson's Island is my first sanctuary visit that requires a BOAT. I meet two coastal waterbird wardens at a rendezvous point in Cotuit, and load my field kit into a small, open runabout. Brad Bower is the Sampson's Island "crew leader," and his associate is Brian Lonabocker. During the peak breeding season, boats are not allowed to land on the island, in order to safeguard the birds during this critical period.
During the ride over to the island, Brad fills me in on the latest news regarding the breeding birds of Sampsons Island. He calculates there are between 30 and 40 pairs of Least Terns nesting on the island, and notes that some of the tern eggs are just starting to hatch. This season, seven pairs of piping plovers have also established nests, with six young fledged so far from two nests. Many nests of both species have failed for various reasons. Overwash from storm tides has been a factor, as well as predation by crows, a coyote and other unidentified culprits. So far, less than half of all nests have produced fledglings. For coastal waterbirds, raising a family is a hit-or-miss proposition.
Once on the island, I position myself for good views of the Least Tern colonies and get to work. Incubating birds are wonderful models - very dependable and obliging! After some warm-up sketching, I take out some watercolor paper…
As I'm watching one sitting bird, I notice an eggshell near the nest, and suspect that a chick has recently hatched. The adult bird is a bit restless, shifting and resettling on the nest. Next, I see a tiny bill poke out from beneath the adult's wing, then a small, fluffy head! The adult bird's mate arrives with a tiny minnow, and both adults stand on either side of the nestling, prodding it to take the food, which it finally consumes with a gulp. I modify the drawing I've been making to include both the eggshell and the chick! A drawing from life, unlike a photograph, can be a composite of many moments.
Publication: Finding Sanctuary
Inscription: Signature
