Little Tern + Common Tern, Waikanae

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Wrybill
Posts: 384
Joined: Mon Apr 04, 2022 5:21 pm

Re: Little Tern, Waikanae

Postby Wrybill » Mon Dec 19, 2022 6:25 pm

Better photo here
Screenshot 2022-12-19 6.22.02 PM.png
Zoomed in and editted
Screenshot 2022-12-19 6.22.02 PM.png (302.62 KiB) Viewed 630 times
128 Species on my life-list, Latest Lifer Pectoral Sandpiper, Hokio Stream
AlfieB77
Posts: 132
Joined: Sat Oct 08, 2022 5:39 pm
Location: Wellington, New Zealand

Re: Little Tern, Waikanae

Postby AlfieB77 » Mon Dec 26, 2022 11:27 am

A little tern was reported yesterday via eBird at the Waikanae sandspit
131 birds on my NZ life list, latest bird Cattle Egret
Cycl9ne
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Dec 30, 2022 2:29 pm

Re: Little Tern, Waikanae

Postby Cycl9ne » Fri Dec 30, 2022 2:31 pm

I headed out this morning and after some time, managed to spot the little tern again amongst the WFTs roosting at the sand spit. Returned at 1400 and it is still there.
AlfieB77
Posts: 132
Joined: Sat Oct 08, 2022 5:39 pm
Location: Wellington, New Zealand

Re: Little Tern, Waikanae

Postby AlfieB77 » Sat Dec 31, 2022 8:38 am

How hard was the little tern to find? We may be going tomorrow, but won’t have long.
131 birds on my NZ life list, latest bird Cattle Egret
Alan Tennyson
Posts: 252
Joined: Mon Sep 20, 2010 1:54 pm

Re: Little Tern, Waikanae

Postby Alan Tennyson » Sat Dec 31, 2022 10:13 am

Find the white-fronted tern flock and scan through it. If the little tern is there you should be able to spot it pretty easily as it's much smaller than the other terns. If it's not there, then you'll have to wait for it to come back from a fishing trip. Good luck.
AlfieB77
Posts: 132
Joined: Sat Oct 08, 2022 5:39 pm
Location: Wellington, New Zealand

Re: Little Tern, Waikanae

Postby AlfieB77 » Sat Dec 31, 2022 4:09 pm

Thanks, is there a certain time when it would normally be back, or is it random?
131 birds on my NZ life list, latest bird Cattle Egret
Wrybill
Posts: 384
Joined: Mon Apr 04, 2022 5:21 pm

Re: Little Tern, Waikanae

Postby Wrybill » Sat Dec 31, 2022 5:41 pm

Its Rather random but i saw it about 2:50-3:10 and the common terns about the same time slightly earlier.
128 Species on my life-list, Latest Lifer Pectoral Sandpiper, Hokio Stream
AlfieB77
Posts: 132
Joined: Sat Oct 08, 2022 5:39 pm
Location: Wellington, New Zealand

Re: Little Tern, Waikanae

Postby AlfieB77 » Sun Jan 01, 2023 7:39 pm

Went down to the estuary today at 6:50 and saw both the little tern and (presumed) common tern.
131 birds on my NZ life list, latest bird Cattle Egret
BerndHuss
Posts: 101
Joined: Tue Feb 09, 2021 7:15 pm

Re: Little Tern, Waikanae

Postby BerndHuss » Sun Jan 01, 2023 8:19 pm

Just returned from Waikanae spit. Little Tern and one Common Tern showing nicely.
AlfieB77
Posts: 132
Joined: Sat Oct 08, 2022 5:39 pm
Location: Wellington, New Zealand

Re: Little Tern, Waikanae

Postby AlfieB77 » Sun Jan 01, 2023 8:46 pm

Here are some photos.
A91EDF21-D969-4F0B-B594-28D777F46C67.jpeg
A91EDF21-D969-4F0B-B594-28D777F46C67.jpeg (494.51 KiB) Viewed 391 times
8F2E92FE-6E1F-4E88-A17A-68921C9D0016.jpeg
8F2E92FE-6E1F-4E88-A17A-68921C9D0016.jpeg (493.68 KiB) Viewed 391 times
00E37D2F-7CFB-4498-BDAE-604E3687CA30.jpeg
00E37D2F-7CFB-4498-BDAE-604E3687CA30.jpeg (85.64 KiB) Viewed 391 times
131 birds on my NZ life list, latest bird Cattle Egret

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