ML364974001
tern sp. Sterninae sp.
Contributor
Date
Location
- Age
- Not specified
- Sex
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- Playback
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Observation details
I am very confident I saw a species of tern flying over Fish Lake at Cedar Creek Ecosystem Science Reserve in East Bethel, but now not very confident on what species it exactly was. I observed them through my binoculars. 3 birds were observed. They were visually similar to seagulls but much more mesmerizing flyers. The birds had a black cap that extended down below their eyes with deep orange beaks and feet. I do not recall the species having a black tip on their beaks but I was quite a distance from them. Being an amateur birder, I used my Merlin bird app to ID the birds and didn't realize there were multiple possible tern species that could logically be in the area. I selected Common Tern as most visually similar but after looking at similar species/species ranges in Minnesota after the hike, it seems likely it was likely either a Forster's Tern or Common Tern. Visually it was also very similar to the Artic Tern. I have no photos because they moved quickly and had only my phone for photos. I have a 1 minute 20 second recording in which you can hear the sharp squawk of the tern species faintly in the recording around 38, 53, and 58 seconds. I did not hear them sing just short and boisterous calls.
Technical information
- Recorder
- Microphone
- Accessories
- Original file size
- 6.75 MB