The Tern and Osprey

The Tern and Osprey, originally uploaded by Nature's Photo Adventures - David G Hemmings.

This could have been almost anywhere in the world as Caspian Tern and Osprey share status as among the most cosmopolitan birds. I can imagine a young osprey trying to steal a fish from the tern or both birds hunting a shoal of larger bait fish. What a great shot.

Tern typeface

Tern typeface, originally uploaded by Chriszwolle.

This is a great ... turn of events for inTERNational correspondence.

A 'bad' tern of the word...

but a classic that deserves sharing. As a tern researcher I recieved many copies of this clipped from the Sunday comics so it was actually a good tern of events overall.

Caspian Terns prominent at 3 of the 'Top 100 Birding Sites of the World'

A neighbor dropped by with Dominic Couzen’s book "Top100 Birding Sites of the World" and I immediately flipped to the index to see where Caspian Terns might be noted.

The results are that Caspian Terns are noted at three of 100 locations and each is interesting in its own way.

p 65: Eliat, Israel - this area very likely is getting both migrants between northern Europe and Africa as well as hosting breeders from the Arabian Gulf. I don't know of any colonies in the Red Sea, but would not be surprised to learn of current or historical records of a small colony or two. Ranked as 25th best place in the world of birds.

p 127: Banc D'Arguin, Mauritania - the book suggests this region hosts the largest concentration of waterbirds in western Africa including 2,500 pairs of Caspian Terns, 1,000 pairs of Gull-billed Terns, and 5,000 pairs of Royal Terns. This region is one from which I have found regular posting of excellent Caspian Tern photos, but have yet to network to any active research or monitoring in the area. Ranked as 43rdbest place in the world of birds.

p 133: Gambia River, Gambia - the book recommended terns, including Caspians could be located in the saltwater tidal section of the river at Bintang Bolon (50 km from Banjul). This sounds like classical habitat for non-breeders to be hanging out and feeding on the small fish nurseries so common in mangrove and shallow water subtropical areas.Ranked as 50th best place in the world of birds.

The best place in the world to see Caspian Terns isobviously at the largest colony in the world and that is currently in the Columbia River Estuary of Oregon, USA. Although CRE is designated an Important Bird Area the closest places noted by Couzens were the Olympic Penninsula, WA and Monteray Bay, CA.

caspian tern drama

caspian tern drama, originally uploaded by profiles of nature.

Growing up can be a drama in the life of Caspian Terns and much of it is not understood. This photo captures the tension that surrounds many recently fledged Caspian Terns in that there is a delivery landing, an adult on the ground vocalizing, and another adult ready to fly. Caspian Terns have the longest or one of the longest periods of parental care for a seabird as they continue to feed during migration and on the winter grounds. This youngster may or may not be the offspring of the tern with the fish, but it is certain to be making a weee weee begging call. Adults that are not related often are aggressive towards young that are not their own probably to prevent piracy from their own chicks. Wish I was where ever this photo was taken.

The momment of truth ...

Caspian Tern skimming a fish, originally uploaded by Phil Armishaw.

In this moment I'd love to know what the tern is seeing. Are its eyes closed, covered by the nictitating membrane, or wide open making last nano-second modifications to snapping the prey. Earlier I was positing about the relative value of foot position going into and coming out of dives. Here it surely seems the tern has extended legs and is pushing off the water just as it prepares for a full flap down. Note there is no wing tip dimple on the water, but I'd be surprised if there weren't a couple in the second following. The wings, especially in the primaries, are flexed fully open to get the maximum lift away from the water.

Caspian Tern playing with a crappie

Caspian Tern eating fish, originally uploaded by osprey1050.

Based on osprey1050's description it seems this Caspian Tern may have been playing with the fish. I would not be the least bit surprised if a second Caspian Tern in proximity that was this bird's youngster. Caspian Terns have a long period of parental care that anecdotally includes 'teaching' them to fish. August is the major month for post-breeding migrants to be moving south.