Ringing terns in Bahrain

My good friend, Brendan Kavanaugh, professor and birder extraordinaire in Bahrain asked Nicole and I to help with the ringing (banding in Americas) of tern chicks on some spoil islands about 45 minutes off the north end of Bahrain. After a couple of failed trips due to bad weather, Nicole was able to make a successful trip with Brendan and his team, banding lesser creasted tern chicks. I was unable to make that trip due to work back in Saudi Arabia. The next trip I was able to make. This time the target was bridled tern chicks and later some white cheeked tern chicks. We gathered at the Bahrain Yacht Club at 6:00 am and headed out up the long inland bay to the top of the island nation and then headed almost due north to several spoil islands about 45 minutes away from the tip of the main island. The water was beautiful - calm and green and clear, so the ride was comfortable. We finally arrived at the spoil island and unloaded the boat and set up a base camp (an umbrella). We promptly headed out in two teams to sweep the island looking for bridled tern chicks hidden under short bushes. I was a gatherer and scratched my hand and arm a good bit reaching in to gather up my chicks. Brendan and Nicole did the ringing. After about 45 minutes it was just too hot to continue, so we headed for the camp for water and rest. About 30 minutes later we headed out to finish combing the island and ringing the last of the chicks (about 200). I cannot understand how those chicks survive in the heat on that island. From there we headed out to another island to see if we could find some white cheeked tern chicks. On that island we were able to find and band probably 50 chicks. After a dip into the Gulf waters to try to cool off (in a hot bath!) we headed back in. It was a successful trip. The trip into the club was nice and smooth, but long. After a shower and a nice cold Carlsburg I headed back to Saudi Arabia. Nicole stayed to have dinner with a friend. I sure slept well that night.