BirdingNZ.net

Hi
Julian Fitter reported an unusual tern at Maketu this afternoon at about 3.30pm. Full black cap and red bill, greyish, forked tail, elegant jizz not much smaller than a white-front. I must have missed it by minutes. Julian thinks its a possible Antarctic.
I'll be back tomorrow.

Little Tern there with about 400 White fronts. Marsh Sandpiper, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and Turnstone at Little Waihi.
Cheers
Tim

Just got this from Julian ...

It looks a bit big but maybe Arctic? They should be passing through about now I think.

Ian

Had a look last night ... lovely evening and plenty of activity on the spit but nothing out the ordinary. Little tern ever present and a couple of Turnstone, as well as a Dotterel chick weaving between nesting White-fronted tern. I agree Ian always good to start with the obvious ... but its the apparent leg length I find a litte confusing for Arctic. Everything else apart, it looks a little tall. I don't know. Just hope it pops up again.