White-winged Black Tern - Hawkes Bay

[sav]

Hi all,

The HB White-winged Black Tern reappeared today at Haumoana, hawking over the lagoon and inland up stream. Despite a reasonable amount of effort at all sites where it has been seen, this was the first sighting for nearly 2 weeks. This bird has been present for just about 6 months now - I'd love it to stay and get some decent plumage!

cheers

[sav]

The same bird was present again today at Haumoana. Now into it’s 7th calendar month and in adult non-breeding plumage. Also 7 Black-fronted Terns.
Cheers

[wghabbott]

At Waitangi Regional Park this morning with pied stilts. Only stayed for 5 minutes.

[wghabbott]

Checking my photos, it was the little tern

[sav]

Checking my photos, it was the little tern

Hi Bill,

Many thanks for correcting your sighting. The White-winged Black Tern was at Haumoana both on Friday and Saturday, frequenting a stretch of the Tukituki River about halfway between the beach and Black Bridge.

Apparently one of the two Little Terns was also there on Friday, but was not showing Saturday when I was there. 4 Black-fronted Terns were present though.

cheers

[sav]

Hi all,

I was quite convinced that the cold weather had forced the HB White-winged Black Tern away, since it had not been seen after 4 June, but this afternoon it was back in situ at Haumoana - so I presume it has been here all along.....

Also present today was at least one (and maybe 2) of the Little Terns that have been around, plus at least 13 Black-fronted Tern (2 immatures).

cheers

[sav]

Hi all,

White-winged Black Tern present again this afternoon at the same place. Both Little Terns also there along with 8 Black-fronted Terns, and a bonus immature male NZ Falcon (which appeared to leave without eating any terns at all!!).

cheers

[sav]

Hi all,

Not sure if anyone is still interested, but the WWBT was present at Haumoana again today, feeding and flying with an immature Black-fronted Tern.

cheers

[sav]

HI all,

Our Hawkes Bay WWBT was reliably reported again on Saturday 25th June, and the two Little Terns were still present this afternoon - all at Haumoana.

cheers

[sav]

Hi all,

Hawkes Bay WWBT present this afternoon in warm sunshine - foraging with (presumably) the same immature Black-fronted Tern.

An exceptional tally of THREE Little Terns also there.

cheers