ML171531311

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

A small dark tern observed to fly in to the pond and begin foraging along the water on the south side of the pond. I was immediately struck by the darkness of the plumage and the bouncy, buoyant flight as it delicately picked at the surface of the water while flying, possibly picking insects off the surface. The bill was short,pointed and black. Overhead photos show a white forehead, black cap and dark ear patch extending from the crown with a white neck collar. The mantle was dark gray and the short tail and upper wings were a paler gray. The underwing shows various shades of gray with a black trailing edge to the wings. From underneath a dark bar extending onto the white belly and the gray flanks were visible, making this a likely juvenile BLTE. WWTE is ruled out because of this birds dark tail and any other highly unlikely dark terns by size and tail shape. The tern was observed to make at least 6 passes along the surface of the water before flying in the direction of the ocean. Photos will be uploaded shortly Of note is that this bird was likely seen earlier in the day by another birder. A bird identified,photographed and submitted to e-bird as a Forsters Tern also on 8/6 was likely this BLTE standing on the bank of the pond.

Technical information

Model

NIKON D3300

Lens

200.0-500.0 mm f/5.6

ISO

400

Focal length

500 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/10.0

Shutter speed

1/2000 sec

Dimensions

2553 pixels x 1436 pixels

Original file size

572.03 KB