ML620192218

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Behaviors

Flying

Observation details

Seen by both myself and Keith. Confident in this ID after discussions with Keith, extensive review, comparative observation of COTE in the following days by both Keith and I, and supporting opinions from several sources. Initially a hesitant ID after a debunked candidate 366 days prior. Field observations: Slim Sterna tern with very long tail streamers, a uniformly dark red bill, relatively limited black on the underside of the primaries, and a silvery white-gray upperwing. The only Sterna of the morning and immediately noted as "interesting" based on perceived tail length - not that this feature is infallible as a field mark, but it was truly striking. Present in Tip area for 7 minutes but disappeared a few times before reappearing again much further west - aggregate viewing period probably ~3-4 minutes. Made one close (~15-20 m) pass overhead when best images were taken. Nearly landed on Tip just after this pass. Eventually disappeared to the West. Was not perceived as having exceptionally buoyant flight. Odd diving behaviour noted in field; like a COTE that couldn't work up the courage to plunge, gradually lowering itself to the water before making a relatively weak plunge. Subsequent review seems to indicate that this matches the "stepped hover" for which ARTE is known. Photos attached. Grainiest frames are RAW edits where only exposure was adjusted. Darker photos are unmodified JPGs. Strong "hunchback", front-heavy impression and uniformly dark red bill shown well throughout. Long hand and rakish wings best seen in shot from above. Extension of black on underside of primaries highly variable in photos of ARTE in general but shows as quite limited. The full album of photos, comparisons with other Sterna terns from the ABA in May and June, and commentary on what was learned in researching this ID will be available soon at essexbirds.ca

Technical information

Model

NIKON D7500

ISO

5000

Focal length

500 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/9.0

Shutter speed

1/5000 sec

Dimensions

1249 pixels x 832 pixels

Original file size

107.91 KB