The garbage they bring attracts predators like cats and crows which quickly swoop on the unprotected eggs. Nowhere is this plight more evident than at Atsugi, about 70kilometres south of Tokyo. The Atsugi sanctuary was produced when the local water authority installed floodgates on the Sagami River. Officials then noticed the appeal of the delta to bird life a few years ago. This week, a colony of 364 terns swirled around the delta, their shrill cries piercing the heavy, damp atmosphere.
City officials say the construction of the road poses no problems for the little tern population.
Hiroshi Takada, an Atsugi City councillor, disagrees, saying the easier access will only encourage more people to flock to the site. The council will decide the future of the road in a few weeks. It seems certain to get the go ahead. The Age Company Ltd 2001. Any unauthorised use, copying or mirroring is prohibited.