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to reduce potential risk of injury; real eggs were stored in small plastic container cushioned with <br />synthetic batting and were immediately replaced upon termination of the trapping effort. Once <br />captured, piping plovers were moved to a nearby area away from the colony, weighed with a <br />Pesola -type spring scale, and the bill, culmen depth, and natural wing chord were measured with <br />calipers or a wing rule. We also collected 20 -30µ1 of blood (2 -3 drops) or 6 -10 contour feathers <br />from the breast or back of the bird for laboratory sex determination. <br />Each adult least tern was banded with a stainless steel band, size 1 A, on the lower leg and up to 3 <br />plastic colored celluloid bands (XCL) on the upper leg (2 bands /leg), with exception of those <br />receiving transmitters. Each adult plover was banded with a size IA, numbered USGS <br />aluminum band on the upper leg, a Darvic plastic short flag on the opposite upper leg, and up to <br />2 Darvic color bands on each of the lower legs. Birds were released adjacent to the colony <br />within 10 minutes of capture, and observed to document resumption of normal behaviors (e.g., <br />incubation and foraging). Although we attempted to band both individuals of each pair, capture <br />of one individual from each nest was the primary goal. <br />CHICK CAPTURE AND BANDING <br />Interior least tern and piping plover chicks were banded so they were uniquely identifiable. <br />Banding and re- sighting data was collected in support of objective 4 outlined above. We <br />attempted to band all chicks at all successful interior least tern and piping plover nests at sandpits <br />and river islands surveyed. We visited nests of interior least terns and piping plovers on or near <br />the day of hatch so that chicks could be captured by hand in or near the nest bowl and banded. <br />Interior least tern chicks were marked with 3 plastic color bands (1 above and below the joint on <br />1 leg, and 1 above the joint on the other leg); handling time was <2 minutes. We recaptured <br />interior least tern chicks at —15 days of age and applied stainless steel leg bands and ensured <br />retention of plastic leg bands. Piping plover chicks were banded with one aluminum I band on <br />the upper leg, a Darvic plastic short flag on the opposite upper leg, and up to 4 Darvic color <br />bands on the lower legs (no more than 2 per leg segment). Capture and banding occurred every <br />2 -3 days during productivity assessments. <br />PRRIP 2008 -2009 Tern /Plover Report Page 27 of 42 <br />