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foraging interior least terns or piping plovers were observed, we recorded zero known active <br />nests and broods in the area to identify areas as off - colony foraging locations. <br />Observers entered the blind or observation location using an approach that minimized <br />disturbance to foraging interior least interior least terns and piping plovers. Once positioned to <br />view the birds, observers waited 5 minutes to ensure their presence no longer disturbed the birds <br />and began collecting data. We used a scan sampling technique to monitor interior least terns and <br />focal sampling for piping plovers. We observed and recorded state behaviors on a 5- minute- <br />interval. At the beginning of each 5- minute - interval, observers spent 5 seconds assessing the <br />state of each bird. If any foraging behaviors were observed during the bird specific 5- second <br />scan, we coded the state as foraging, even if the foraging behavior was very brief; otherwise we <br />recorded the dominant behavior during the 5- second interval. We classified behavior states into <br />1 of 9 categories including: foraging, transport or food delivery, active parental care, stationary <br />parental care, locomotion, active stationary (e.g., preen, bathe, courtship, copulation), inactive or <br />resting, out of view (in area, but view was obstructed), and left observation area. Classification <br />of state behaviors was species specific. When piping plovers moved out of view during focal <br />bird sampling sessions, the observer quickly repositioned to view the bird, waited 5 minutes, and <br />data collection commenced. <br />INTERIOR LEAST TERNS: We conducted behavioral observations at two main types of <br />locations within a nesting colony (sandbar or sandpit) and on non - colony riverine or sandpit sites <br />that were used by interior least terns. Colony nesting sites were static and non - colony riverine or <br />sandpit sites were identified by traveling the river looking for aggregations of interior least terns <br />and by examining data from telemetry data - loggers located outside colonies. Observation <br />sessions for interior least tern colonies spanned 1 -3 hours depending on the number of interior <br />least tern pairs that were visible. If there was only one pair /nest visible from a given location, we <br />observed the pair /nest for 1 hour. If other interior least tern pairs could be observed from a <br />location, we added 1 hour to the session for each additional pair visible (up to 3 hours). <br />Observers conducted scan sampling techniques on 5 minute intervals; recording the number of <br />adult interior least terns visible that were engaged in each behavioral state. The interim time <br />between each scan was used differently depending on whether the observation was conducted at <br />a colony or non - colony site. At non - colony sites during the interim time, we selected a visible <br />foraging adult and recorded the number of all occurrence (AO) behaviors for the randomly <br />selected adult and ignored AO behaviors by any other adults in the area. If the selected adult left <br />the area (with or without a prey item) or stopped foraging for >30 seconds, we selected and <br />observed another foraging adult and record when the new adult was selected. We recorded AO <br />behaviors at non - colony sites including: hovering, non - successful plunge, successful plunge, <br />plunge of unknown success, eating prey, in area but out of view, left area with prey in bill, and <br />left area. At colony sites during the interim time, we alternated between observing adults for <br />forage delivery and observing foraging behavior of adults. When we were unable to observe <br />potential foraging locations or it was apparent that no visible foraging occurred, we only <br />recorded forage delivery observations during all interim periods. When observing forage <br />delivery behaviors, we watched the whole colony and documented all deliveries of forage to <br />chicks or other adults and recorded the location of foraging and the recipient of forage. We used <br />techniques outlined for non - colony sites when we observed adult foraging behavior at colony <br />sites during the interim periods. We randomly selected a foraging adult and documented <br />behaviors including hover, unsuccessful plunge, successful plunge, plunge of unknown success, <br />PRRIP 2008 -2009 Tern /Plover Report Page 29 of 42 <br />