White-winged black tern, Bromley WTP

[wazzagonewild]

I noticed a small grey and white tern hawking with bouyant flight over the southeast ponds at Bromley WTP as I drove by about 2:45 pm today. Pulled over for closer inspection and confirmed id based on remnant black plumage in wings and a distinct earmuff behind the eye. Seems at least one individual has shown up here most winters for the last few years.

[georgie]

Great sighting thanks wazzagonewild. No sign of the WWBT this morning 8am at Bromley WTP, lightly raining.

[andrewcrossland]

No sign early this afternoon

[georgie]

Seen this evening at 5.05pm, hawking over south eastern pond for 20 minutes. Small tern in non-breeding plumage, a number of distinguishing features particularly squarish, barely forked tail and black ‘headphones’ mark behind eyes. Lifer for me, stoked!

[harryhatman]

Seen this evening at 5.05pm, hawking over south eastern pond for 20 minutes. Small tern in non-breeding plumage, a number of distinguishing features particularly squarish, barely forked tail and black ‘headphones’ mark behind eyes. Lifer for me, stoked!

Nice one. I'll be chasing this over the weekend so hopefully it hangs around.

[georgie]

Had a quick look at approx 10am this morning but couldn’t sight the individual. Your fellow ‘Harry’ the kōtuku was in great form 2mins down the road at Linwood canal. Sing out if you’d like another pair of eyes looking for the WWBT

[GrahameNZ]

I had a look on Wednesday.
No WWBT.
There were also no Gulls and even more surprisingly Swallows.
Makes me think there isn't much food around on the ponds at present.

[harryhatman]

Wwbt and northern shoveler here this morning

[AngryBird45]

How does anyone even manage to go bird watching there? I thought entry was strictly prohibited?

[AngryBird45]

I spoke too soon, it turns out you can go down Metro Place, which has the added benefit of possibly seeing Peafowl.