ML644005105

Observation details

Two adults and two immatures in loose group on beach with WFT flock, presume storm driven by gale Westerlies. Small sea terns (c2/3 size overall of WFT), shortish, sharp bills, very short legs and proportionately long wings held upswept at rest. Adults light grey overall, dark bills both with hint of red at tip, extensive white on caps, one bird with retained black flecks of summer head pattern, this bird also a shade greyer on underparts than the other. Immatures with dark bills, large white caps, worn retained juvenile coverts and smudgy carpal bars, one also noticeably greyer than the other bird. All birds with pale under primaries, these with neat dark trailing edge, white rumps and tails with darker retrices, strongly so in immatures.

Additional species

• White-fronted Tern Sterna striata