Wednesday, 29 May 2013

Beautiful Birds: Common Tern at Oulton Broad


Oulton Broad
During our day at the Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve near Lowestoft, we spent some time watching the boats on Oulton Broad. There were a few gulls about, but one of them looked a bit different. I reached for my binoculars and saw this Common Tern, resting on the covered boom of a sailing craft. Perhaps it had just arrived in the UK. I have seen Terns on the island of Skye, but this was a first East Anglian sighting for me, despite the fact that the Tern is the icon of the Norfolk Wildlife Trust.

A resting Tern

So I will add it to my 2013 list, along with some other birds that I have encountered since my list of 8 April. Other species of bird seen since that date include ...


  • Common Tern (Oulton Broad)
  • Hobby (RSPB Minsmere) - a first sighting
  • Common Crane (Norfolk) - definitely a first sighting for me!
  • Puffin (RSPB Bempton Cliffs)
  • Gannet (ditto)
  • Kittiwake (ditto)
  • Fulmar (ditto)
  • Guillemot (ditto)
  • Razorbill (ditto)
  • Cuckoo (Essex)
  • Black-tailed Godwit (WWT Welney)
  • Sedge Warbler (WWT Welney)
  • Swallow (SWT Carlton Marshes)
  • Bullfinch (home patch)
  • Sparrowhawk (home patch)
  • Lesser Redpoll (NT Wicken Fen)
  • Reed Bunting (NT Wicken Fen)


at

4 comments:

  1. L. D. 29 May 2013 at 18:49

    Terns are so nice to see in flight. They are perfect dive bombers.

    ReplyDelete
  2. eileeninmd29 May 2013 at 23:29

    I love the Terns, they are great birds. It looks like you saw other wonderful birds too, I would love to see a Puffin. Great shots and post.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Em Parkinson30 May 2013 at 08:57

    That black head is so beautiful. I'd love to see a Puffin too!

    ReplyDelete
  4. peteday24 June 2013 at 09:19

    Early June 2013 I saw 2 black barred geese with a group of greylags, just arrived possibly. Oulton Broad where it ends at the railway. Are they still rare down south?

    ReplyDelete