John S. Weske, a respected ornithologist known for his extensive work with shorebirds, died on October 18 at the age of 90. Weske’s decades-long commitment to the study of royal terns and brown pelicans significantly advanced the scientific understanding of these species.
His research, which included long-term banding projects, provided critical data on bird populations in North Carolina. According to the Smithsonian Institution Archives, Weske collected bird specimens in Peru and Venezuela during the 1960s and 1970s. An article from Audubon North Carolina noted that he successfully determined the age of a large population of royal terns along the Cape Fear River through his banding efforts, as most were tagged as chicks.
Weske began banding in North Carolina in 1974 and continued his work well into his eighties. In July 2017, he and two wildlife specialists banded young pelicans on Big Foot Slough Island, an area crucial for bird nesting. They conducted their work at night, successfully tagging 400 pelicans by dawn.
His banding initiatives contributed valuable insights into the longevity and distribution of these birds, as well as their reproductive habits, which are essential for population assessments. Weske observed a revival in the numbers of brown pelicans in North Carolina, which were once on the brink of extinction due to environmental pollutants like DDT. Following its ban, pelican populations rebounded and expanded their nesting range further north.
Weske’s efforts also highlighted the importance of specific island habitats for nesting birds, which offer reduced mammalian predation risks. However, he noted ongoing threats, such as increased predator populations including gulls and owls that can impact nests and adult birds.
His accomplishments include banding nearly 2,900 birds in one day in the late 1970s and unlocking data that led to the discovery of the oldest known royal terns, which were living at ages up to 30 years. His work was supported by numerous volunteers, many of whom he trained and inspired over the years.
Weske earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering and applied physics from Harvard University, a master’s degree in vertebrate zoology from Cornell University, and a doctorate in ornithology from the University of Oklahoma. He began his ornithological career in earnest while working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and later founded his consulting business, Weske Associates, allowing him to continue his passion for banding birds.
Weske’s legacy is marked by his dedication to wildlife conservation, his impactful research, and his ability to share his enthusiasm for ornithology with others. He remained active in banding and is known for recounting humorous anecdotes from his career, including a notable band find involving a royal tern discovered inside a shark.
