I birded the flats today between 0900 and 1115 on the incoming tide and had some nice birds. Highlights were 2 first summer type artic terns, 3 black terns, 6 roseate terns and 1 (I think) royal tern. A couple I met on my way out told me about Arie Gilbert's post re: possible elegant tern which I read when I got home. So I took a close look at my pics. The bird I saw had an orange bill (not orange-red, but not unlike the bill color I've seen on other royals later in the season) and an all black cap with just a bit of white speckling on the forecrown. My prior field experience for elegant tern is limited to one distant view, of one individual, from several years back. Therefore I did some research as well today. The bill shape seems to be consistent with royal tern. However, from what I've learned royal terns usually lose the black crown in May to early June...elegant terns, later...interesting.
Kathryn Klecan Middle Island,NY -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
