Sandwich & Common Terns at Brownsea Island 13th June 23.

Sandwich Tern with sandeel.

 

We've not visited Brownsea Island since before the pandemic so a visit was due, mainly for the terns and gulls which nest in the lagoon. There are 2 really good hides that overlook the tern colonies although I did find my 500mm lens a little too long at times. Also there is chicken wire on posts around the nesting islands which I believe was put there to stop the resident deer trampling on the nests and eggs. That wire does get into the photos at times but most of the time I was concentrating on photographing incoming birds carrying fish to feed their chicks.

It was very hot, in the upper 20's so most of the day was spent in the hides although we did have lunch amongst the trees in the hope of spotting one of their red squirrels but they too were keeping out of the sun (& the shade) so didn't spot a single one.

It was a long day, leaving Wadebridge at just after 5:30 and not back till 9:30 pm, a round trip of 316 miles but oh so well worth the effort!

Here is a selection of tern photos, the Sandwich terns have the yellow tip to the black bill....easily remembered as "mustard on the sandwich"!

The Common Terns have red bills with a black tip.

Sandwich Tern with sandeel

Sandwich Tern

Sandwich Tern

Sandwich Tern with sandeel

Sandwich Tern with sandeel

Sandwich Tern with sandeel

Sandwich Tern with sandeel

Sandwich Tern with sandeel

 

Sandwich Tern with sandeel feeding chick

Sandwich Tern with chicks

Sandwich Tern

Common Tern

Common Terns

Common Terns

Common Terns

Common Terns

Common Terns

Common Terns

Common Tern

Common Terns

Common Terns

Common Tern