Actually, they've been back for a couple of weeks now; it's just that this week has been the first time I've been able to settle down with the telephoto lens and spend some time with these cute little guys. These Common Terns form a breeding colony every year on this rock just off the causeway at the Green Bridge on Gooseneck Cove. It's well known, and I'm not the only person who has come to call this little one-rock island Tern Rock. It's a great place to spend a half hour to an hour, just watching these guys do their thing. Terns are very vocal, and will often set up quite a ruckus and just erupt from the rock in all directions. Visit the eNature.com page on the Common Tern and click on the "listen" tab to hear what Tern Rock sounds like this time of year. Later in the Summer after the little ones have grown up enough to fish and fly on their own they'll abandon the colony and the Double-Crested Cormorants will take over the rock until it's time to migrate for the Winter.
And now, without further ado, here are the Terns of Tern Rock.
© 2009 by A. Roy Hilbinger
...interesting info. I love learning about your shorebirds. I wonder how many years they have been coming back to this rock....hundreds...thousands? Since it's the only rock in town, I assume it gets all the action. Wonderful photos and narration. I would love to settle down and just watch these birds in their nesting colony.
ReplyDeleteCool!
ReplyDeletegreat shots!
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