Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge, Chatham, Mass. — South Monomoy Island stretches for miles off the southern elbow of Cape Cod. The low barrier islands of Monomoy comprise the critical habitat for migrating birds to feed and rest. The ever-shifting sands host the Atlantic seaboard's second largest colony of common terns, over 17,000 strong. As the sun rises over the pounding Atlantic surf, they noisily awaken from nests scattered among the dunes and beach grass. With our cameras recording the activities of their homes, we get up close and personal with the feisty birds as their daily routine commences.