An advocacy group called Our Tern is pushing for a new floating habitat for birds in Hoboken. According to Gothamist, local avian enthusiasts have plans to construct a small artificial island for the city’s official bird, the Common Tern, in the Hudson River. The project is designed to give these threatened birds a place to nest in peace, as their current site, a deteriorating pier that they've inhabited since Hurricane Sandy in 2013, is slated to be upended by the $16 billion Gateway Project.
The article by Gothamist outlines a fundraising effort aimed at bringing in about $5,000 to build the floating island. It will be situated roughly 200 feet from the Hoboken shore and is meant to mimic the environs of a typical Manhattan studio apartment in size. Meanwhile, the migratory terns, creatures of habit, are less likely to take to an unfamiliar setting without some persuasion. So, the advocates plan to deploy decoys and broadcast tern calls to encourage the birds to adopt this new safe haven constructed specifically for their breeding habits. "It's crucial to give these birds a space that no one is going to take away from them," Jeff Train, co-founder of Our Tern, told Gothamist.
In parallel, a unique "Tern Parade,"—the first of it's kind in Hoboken—is currently painting the town with a series of bird-themed events running until June 1. Also backed by Our Tern, the parade is an effort to raise awareness as well as funds for their feathered friends' new abode. It features 40 Common Tern decoys decorated by local businesses and community groups, which will either be auctioned off or utilized to attract terns to the planned island next year. “The Common Tern is special in that it symbolizes the shared efforts of our community to live sustainability beside the Hudson River. The Common Tern thrives because of the small bait fish once again swimming in our waters. The bait fish thrive because of the microorganisms and invertebrates that have returned to our shores,” detailed information from Hoboken Girl.
The situation is dire for the Terns as a display of netting, set up at Pier 11 in an attempt to deter them from nesting, led to the death of one of the birds. Our Tern, formed in response to such actions, has been instrumental in ensuring the removal of these dangers and advocating for the well-being of the birds. Last year's advocacy efforts were successful, leading to the Common Tern's designation as Hoboken's honorary bird and extending their legacy with a special edition Hoboken Library Card earlier this year.
However, the creation of the artificial island is still pending state approval, and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is yet to formally consider the proposal. If passed, supporters hope to see construction commence by fall so that the habitat is ready by the time the Common Terns return to the area in May. The importance of such a sanctuary cannot be overstated, with Dustin Partridge, director of conservation and science at the NYC Bird Alliance, emphasizing to Gothamist, "It'll be a great way to make up for some of the lost habitat that's happened across the harbor."
