(KRON) — From the USS Hornet Museum to the Antiques Faire, beaches to breweries, Alameda draws in crowds of people to its attractions. At the same time, the East Bay island also draws flocks of endangered birds to a growing colony.
Alameda Point, which was once a U.S. Naval Air Station on the western side of the island, is home to the largest colony of California least terns in Northern California. This year, the number of nests counted there by researchers grew by 43%, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced.
The 2026 count found 797 total California least tern nests, according to wildlife officials. Last year, 556 nests were counted.
The striking birds have long and narrow angular wings and forked tails. Adult least terns sport a bold black cap with a black eye line and have a bright yellow bill. They are the smallest members of the tern family and weigh only 1.5 ounces…