Three BLACK TERNS were reported at Wallkill River NWR’s Liberty Loop on Friday by birding bud Maria Loukeris. I couldn’t make it out Friday after work, but tried for them on Saturday morning, fully convinced that they would be gone. But!, luckily one of them hung in there for me; as I walked the east side of the loop a woman who did not appear to be a birder told me it was in the back pond.
Black Tern is a really cool bird, and I enjoyed observing and trying to photograph this bird, which I believe was an adult in non-breeding plumage. Unfortunately, Black Tern is a photo-nemesis bird for me. I don’t know what it is, but in spite of seeing this species at least a half dozen times now, I just can’t get a good photo. One thing that hit home yesterday was that it’s a small tern. I realized it because as the bird fed, there were swallows giving it the business the entire time. It’s the smallest tern we get in the our area, listed in Sibley as a mere 9.75″. Compare that to 12″ and 13″ inches for Common and Forster’s Tern respectively, and a whopping 21″ for Caspian Tern. Add to that an erratic flight while feeding, and the bird is tough to pick up and get into focus in the camera. That said, I’ve had the species perched and still the pics were not great. One day I’ll get a goodie.
Thanks for your timely post Matt! I headed over there Saturday morning and myself and Joyce Depew got to enjoy and photograph the Black Tern too (not Zeitler quality but good enough for clear i d). Even in non breeding plumage it’s a very cool bird! Added bonus were 4 Glossy Ibis in back pond. Love the blog!
Scotty
I’m glad you and Joyce got the tern, it looks like I left a little too early and missed the Glossy Ibises. I agree about the tern’s plumage; I like it almost as much at the breeding plumage. Glad you’re enjoying the blog. Matt