Quite a number I saw the other day had black tips, but like Jeff's photos they were all Arctics. The tip of the bill presumably is the last part to change from the black winter colour? The best id feature for Common Tern is the contrast shown between the older darker 5-6 primaries that are retained, and the newer paler inner ones. This is not always that obvious in the Spring though, so best to use a combination of characters. If you're ever unsure put it down as a 'commic' tern. Still a dozen or so present at mid-day feeding on the north side of the bridge.
Hi Barry thanks for the explanation.. yes i got some pictures on my way home from seeing the avocet at WWT at lunchtime.. that was a first for me.. brilliant week with the hopoe too
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Are the top two pictures common ??? they appear to have black tip to beak.???
Quite a number I saw the other day had black tips, but like Jeff's photos they were all Arctics. The tip of the bill presumably is the last part to change from the black winter colour? The best id feature for Common Tern is the contrast shown between the older darker 5-6 primaries that are retained, and the newer paler inner ones. This is not always that obvious in the Spring though, so best to use a combination of characters. If you're ever unsure put it down as a 'commic' tern.
Still a dozen or so present at mid-day feeding on the north side of the bridge.
Hi Barry thanks for the explanation.. yes i got some pictures on my way home from seeing the avocet at WWT at lunchtime.. that was a first for me.. brilliant week with the hopoe too
Good stuff Alun - hopefully this run will continue...
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