Monday, July 16, 2012

Terns at Inskip

This morning I am joining in a new birding meme called Bird D'pot which has just started over at I'D-Rather-B-Birdin. Thanks to Anni and I hope this meme keeps going for a long time.
After more than a week of grey skies, drizzly rain and weather that hasn't seemed like Queensland at all - this morning was bright and sunny.  I was out early to take advantage of the conditions - especially as the Bureau of Meteorology is warning of showers again tomorrow and for the next few days at least!
 I arrived at Inskip Point a little after sunrise and it was beautiful! Both these next photos were taken looking south across Pelican Bay.

There were only a few birds on the point.  A group of Terns were the most noticeable.   Some of them were flying out over the ocean and diving for fish but they then came back into shore and roosted with others on the northern edge of the Point.

Most of the Terns were Crested Terns (Sterna bergii) which are still in non-breeding plumage and still looking rather 'scruffy'!

I also saw three Caspian Terns (Hydropogne caspia).

There were a group of five Common Terns (Sterna Hirundo).  During the summer I see thousands of these terns here after they have migrated south from Asia where they breed.  The Common Terns I saw this morning must have decided not to migrate north this year and were all in non-breeding plumage with the distinctive dark carpal bar. 




16 comments:

  1. Awesome photos of the terns! So you are having some of Melbourne's grey Winter drizzle? Fun isn't it? Trying to find some sunny breaks is quite a challenge!

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  2. handsome birds. the one with the bright orange 'carrot' beak is cute. :)

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  3. Wonderful birds....looks like it wasn't too bad:) You got some fresh air:)

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  4. Great photos of the terns!
    Have a nice day!

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  5. Cracking shots Mick. Can't help notice the ring on the Crested Tern, are they close enough for you to read numbers through a scope?

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  6. Hi Phil, No I couldn't see any numbers. Those pics were all taken with my big 150-500 lens and it is just too heavy for me to try to carry a scope as well. afaik rings are no longer being used out here. Instead flags with much larger numbers are being used.

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  7. they're rather comical I think, those terns; sweet (but comical :))

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  8. I love Terns. The one with the huge orange bill is cool looking. Great shots and post, thanks for sharing.

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  9. Beautiful images!!!! Scruffy or not, they're still amazing to watch. And your photos are superb.

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  10. Beautiful picture series you run.
    Wishing you a good day :)

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  11. Looks like a great day and a good series!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  12. What a beautiful place! I love the photos of the terns.

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  13. lovely post! enjoyed your blog!

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  14. Wonderful images my friend..
    I am so pleased we have found somewhere to carry on sharing.
    Take care..

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  15. Great shots of the Terns Mick. I'd love to see the Crested Tern someday.

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  16. Oh, I absolutely love Terns. And you managed to capture all three kinds in one visit!! I would have a smile from ear to ear. I love all the birds you capture.

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