Posted by Robin Diaz on August 20, 2001 at 17:39:49:
This afternoon at 4:30 I spotted a Common Tern resting among 8 Least Terns on a close exposed flat. It had a strong, distinct carpal bar, reddish-black legs, black bill, evenly gray upper parts and blackish primaries. When it flew to the next flat I got to see the dark edging of the wings and the slightly forked tail. I feel this is a 1st year bird. (There was possibly a second Common Tern but it flew off.)
After it flew, it settled among Royal Terns and 1 Sandwich Tern. Two Least Terns then flew in so it was a great size comparison of all 4 tern species.
There were fewer shorebirds today than usual, but my balcony list has taken a tern for the better.