Tern sp. Kuratau, Taupo

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JFDillon
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Location: Cambridge, Waikato
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Tern sp. Kuratau, Taupo

Postby JFDillon » Sun Jan 05, 2020 8:08 am

On the 3rd of Jan I saw a big white tern, smaller than a Caspian but bigger and broader than a WFT flying North from Kuratau beach, just north of Tokaanu. It didn't have the dark flight feathers characteristic of a Caspian, and was very clean white all over minus the bill which was black. It didn't have a full cap.
Unfortunately I wasn't able to get a photo as I was kayaking and didn't have a camera on me at the time, but I did see it well for about 20 seconds at 30m.
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erikforsyth
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Joined: Sat Aug 03, 2013 9:16 pm

Re: Tern sp. Kuratau, Taupo

Postby erikforsyth » Sun Jan 05, 2020 12:28 pm

sounds like you saw a Gull-billed Tern.

cheers
Erik Forsyth
Rockjumper Birding Tours
www.rockjumperbirding.com
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