Common Tern, Manawatu Est

[philbattley]

Here're some photos of the Common Tern that was seen at the Manawatu Estuary on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. It was on its own but sat on the ground differently to White-fronteds, and the black flecking between the eye and the bill is fairly obvious.
Cheers, Phil

[David Melville]

Note that this bird is in active wing moult - hope that Phil has filled in an OSNZ/BirdsNZ moult card!
David

[phil hammond]

Common Tern was on the mud at end of Robbie st at 8.30 this morning nice and close for positive ID. It departed at 9.30. It was out in the estuary on branches on Nov 7 but too far away to be sure that day until I saw Phil's photos and good view this morning. Each time clearly the same bird. On both occasions it was on it's own

[philbattley]

A Common Tern was at the Manawatu Estuary yesterday morning, on its own on a log off the spit on the rising tide. A Sharp-tailed Sandpiper was also present.

I could just glimpse the back and plumes of the Little Egret on the 4th pond at Palmer Rd, Foxton Beach.

Cheers, Phil