ML238711951

Observation details

🔴MEGA - first inland NY report of this species. Habitat is perfect - a massive drained swamp mudflat. First reported as a possibility last night by Peter Yoerg. One remarkable thing I witnessed on at least 3 separate occasions - it would chase and attack the Bald Eagle when the eagle flew across the marsh. The final time I witnessed this, in the late evening, a couple was looking for the GBTE and we couldn't find it. We saw an eagle approaching and I told them what I had witnessed and out of nowhere the eagle was under attack by the Gull Billed Tern! This is truly an amazing find by Peter. To pick this bird out at the distance he did requires a set of knowledge, skill, and observational street smarts that not many other birders would posses. I am nearly positive I would not have picked it out (heck I was there the day he saw it along with dozens of other people, and only Peter was able to distinguish it). I know Peter's dedication to birding, so I came here the next day with confidence and the goal of trying to specifically find it. I found it patrolling the mud flats at Cayuga Pool and was able to get decent photos when - you guessed it - an eagle flew in and came close to me, and the angry take-no-crap tern was in hot pursuit. Because of this ability to stand up to the big bully eagle - this particular bird may be my favorite bird of all time. Not my favorite species, but this exact particular bird with the badass attitude! TERN: Large black stubby bill. Short tail. White wings. Not diving in water but eating bugs on the wing and sometimes disappearing into reeds and mud. Pics.