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1st Year Arctic Tern at Watermead... & in June!


I was a bit surprised to find this 1st Summer ARCTIC TERN hunting a couple of hundred yards from the home office at Watermead yesterday evening, especially in June - this is very unseasonal as Artic Terns that do wander inland move through north between end of April & beginning of May, but making it even more unusual is the fact that 1st year birds normally don't migrate north from their wintering grounds, & so are rarely seen in Europe.


1st Summer ARCTIC TERN, Watermead, Bucks, 07/06/21


1st Summer ARCTIC TERN, Watermead, Bucks, 07/06/21

It was feeding far out on the large lake from 19.55 at least, until 21.25 when it circled-up very high, until only just visible as a dot to the naked eye, then headed off slowly S/SSE.


1st Summer ARCTIC TERN, Watermead, Bucks, 07/06/21


Although the light was very nice, it was tricky to photograph, especially at distance - with the sun just dipping behind tree-tops the lighting was gentle, so with such an active bird I needed a high ISO to maintain a fast enough shutter speed. It constantly moved erratically through patches of sunlight, then shade, & against a backdrop of brightly lit gardens & houses, then dark trees, then against the water, brightly lit with dark reflections & shaded areas. So, I had to be quick with my settings!

I've included here three of my favourite shots, & one showing the upper-wing pattern.


1st Summer ARCTIC TERN, showing upper-wing pattern, Watermead, Bucks, 07/06/21

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Experiences with wonderful wildlife in the stunning scenery of The Chilterns AONB. Focusing on British birds, butterflies, dragonflies & damselflies, mammals, & more.

Led by Nature Guide DAN FORDER WILDLIFE, we run Corporate Wildlife Photography Activity Days & Guided Wildlife Tours in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, including Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire & Oxfordshire, & are based in the North Chiltern Hills & Vale of Aylesbury, South-East England, not far from London.

We also offer Environment & Wildlife Talks & Workshops, as well as species identification & conservation advice, environmental consultation & ecological surveys.

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