Gull-billed Tern, Motueka Spit

[GKincaid]

I apologize for the delayed report. This morning (31 Jan 2018) I spotted a breeding-plumaged Gull-billed Tern on the Motueka Spit.

Some distant photos in this ebird checklist.

https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S42381264

Also, found dead along the water's edge: at least 25 Fairy Prions, a Gannet and a Little Penguin.

Glenn Kincaid
Rarangi, Blenheim

[Paul Scofield]

Nice! Good candidate for ssp affinis given locality, tiny bill and timing of breeding plumage...

[Clinton9]

I hope Gull-billed terns had bred, so you will be see juvenile Gull-billed terns soon.

[David Melville]

Hi Glen,

Willie Cook, Katherine Leung, Emilia Lai and I had what may be the same Gull-billed Tern at Bell Island Shellbank on 28 January - also one Whimbrel.

There were 8 Australian Wood Ducks on the Bell Island oxidation ponds - the furthest we have seen them away from the 'normal' Playhouse pond site.

The flagged Variable Oystercatcher (EN) that you posted on eBird was banded as a chick by Willie Cook on Grossi Island, Mapua on 12 January 2010.

The storm surge came right over the snadspit today so I guess the birds will have moved!

David

[Ian Southey]

I think the bill on that tern looks like macrotarsa rather than affinis being longish with a bit of curve along the culmen. I presume this bird is part of the 2010 invasion and may well be the same one that has been in the area for a number of years.

Ian

[GKincaid]

Thanks David for the banding information. Are the Bell Island Oxidation Ponds open to the public?

Glenn

[David Melville]

Hi Glenn, Not really - you can wlak in but the Council strongly discourage it. F&G were there the following day and didn't see the ducks.
The Playhouse is still the most consistent site for them - although they are not always there.
David