Chirps and Cheeps

A Photo Journal of My Birding Experiences & Observations

My birding blog site


  Erie County Forster's Tern

Published: September 14, 2018
Tags: General Observations, forster's tern, common tern, bonaparte's gull, great black-backed gull, solitary sandpiper

A Forster's Tern is a rare visitor to Western New York and I've been hoping to see one in Erie County for years.  Yesterday, Joe Fell reported one flying near La Salle Park - seen from the river as he and his students were on a boating field trip.  Myself and a few other birders tried to find his tern but we didn't have any luck.

After birding a few other places and enjoying some warblers and a Solitary Sandpiper, I decided to stop by Hamburg Beach on the way home.  Incidentally, I had been there only two days earlier looking for a Forster's Tern.  Today, though, I felt there was a much stronger chance that one might be sitting there just waiting for me.

As I drove along Route 5, I went through a downpour.  When I pulled up to the beach, it was still raining - yet a beautiful rainbow arced over the sky as the sun tried to peek through.  A good sign?

I parked my car and got my scope out, having already spotted several terns at the water's edge.  One looked particularly interesting.  Close looks in the scope led me to think I just might have found my county Forster's Tern.  I slowly walked around to the other side of the large flock of gulls and terns in order to get the sun at my back.  At this position, bins were all I needed.  I found two terns with rectangular masks on their faces - and they were a bit larger than the Common Terns they were loafing with.  I took many photos and checked with a few other birders to get confirmation - Forster's Terns, indeed!  One was an adult and one was a juvenile - a very nice comparative study.  It was also a nice study to see them right next to the Common Terns showing plumage and size differences.

I really do love rainbows!  :)  Below are some photos from this especially good day...

blog photo
Adult Forster's Tern

blog photo
Adult Forster's Tern

blog photo
Juvenile Forster's Tern

blog photo
Juvenile Forster's Tern

blog photo
The juvenile Forster's is in the back (out of focus) on the left and the adult is to the right of the gull.

blog photo
Both Forster's are present here - one is flying in to join the group on the beach. Note their rectangular face masks.

blog photo
A Common Tern

blog photo
A Great Black-backed Gull (3rd cy)

blog photo
Bonaparte's Gull

blog photo
A couple of Bonaparte's Gulls seen a couple of days earlier.

blog photo
A Solitary Sandpiper foraging in the mud at Times Beach earlier in the day.

blog photo
And here's that beautiful, lucky, blessed rainbow!

Reply from: ann on 10/22/2018 9:35 AM
 Thanks for tern pics. I have never been able to tell the terns apart before but now I may.! Ps. Do you have any recommendations for scope.? I am looking to purchase one.
Reply from: Sue on 10/22/2018 6:13 PM
 Hello ann, I am using a Kowa scope that I bought used. I am very happy with it and it’s been serving me well for several years now. Thanks very much for the nice feedback on the blog! ~ Sue



  Go Back Go to Top  

button link to my bird search