The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Whilst I was getting some video footage of the American Wigeon at RSPB Freiston Shore, Linda called
'Black Tern', I looked up to see that a Black Tern had indeed flown in and was dipping into the reservoir for feed items.
Fortunately, I had the still camera already attached to my second lens so was able to get several shots of the bird during its short stay of about 3 or 4 minutes, after which it flew off in the direction of the Wash.
I have not checked but this seems quite early for an autumn record of Black Tern?

Roy

Hi Roy

T Bagworth saw one offshore at Gib yesterday - maybe the same bird ?

On the subject of early, the little stint at Cov Res seems very early for a juv?

Kev

My thoughts too Kev. A quick look at a some old reports suggests that they don't start passing through until early Aug but there's very little detail on the age of July birds of which there are few

John

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Lincolnshire Birds https://www.flickr.com/photos/120340949 ... 8078912016
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Contact: recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk

First impressions were that this bird was a juv but not so sure now - maybe it is an adult - I'll need to go back to the books !!

Kev

Kev

I think I'm changing my mind too and am pretty sure it's an adult. There's a clear mantle V which may be creamy rather than whitish and no obvious scapular V. Is there too much white, not enough chestnut fringing on scapulars and tertials? I'm struggling to find much info on moulting adults and have found no pics of July birds, But it is very early for a juv to be moving south.
Here's the link to the image again and I'd appreciate more comments
http://www.lincsbirds.co.uk/album/displ ... pos=-15166

John

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Lincolnshire Birds https://www.flickr.com/photos/120340949 ... 8078912016
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Contact: recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk

Another pro-adult feature is the wear on the coverts. A juvenile (esp. this early) would have fresh feathers and these look to be quite heavily abraded.

Cheers,

John

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Contact: recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk

Apart from the above comments, the head and breast patterns are of an adult Little Stint in alternate plumage. The ear coverts are rufous with fine dark streaking, rest of head quite rufousy and breast too well marked for Juv. Probably a female.