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I know that people don't seem to like gulls so I'm not expecting much attention on this. But I think this is a really instructive photograph of a difficult-to-identify species. That is a one-year old Caspian Gull (Larus cachinnans) on the left and a similarly aged Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) on the right. Caspian Gull used to be considered a race of Herring Gull but when you look at the structure of these two they are very different. Caspian Gull looks small-headed and almost giraffe-necked with a slender bill. It also has longer wings and legs than Herring Gull. I photographed this on the River Calder in West Yorkshire this morning.
Caspian gulls breeds around the Black and Caspian Seas, extending eastwards across Central Asia to north-west China. In Europe, it has been spreading north and west and now breeds in Poland and eastern Germany, where they come into contact with Herring Gulls and sometimes interbreed. Some Caspian Gulls migrate south as far as the Red Sea and Persian Gulf, while others disperse into Western Europe. Small numbers are now seen regularly in Britain. Its scientific name Larus cachinnans translates as "laughing gull" from the call: www.xeno-canto.org/580768 . Confusingly there is another bird called Laughing Gull (Leucophaeus atricilla).
Peter, Edmund & Caspian from Narnia: Prince Caspian (Lego Purist Minifigures)
Film & T.V. + Narnia Theme
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It's now Wednesday; time to go home, but not without one last walk along Waitarere Beach...
Except that...
There was a bitterly cold Southerly blowing along the beach. Walking with the wind wasn't too bad, but the moment we stopped, or turned to face the wind... Well that's when the full blast of this bitterly cold Southerly really made its presence felt...! So just ten minutes after setting out, we decided to abandon the walk and head back to the comfort of the car...!
But first of all, there were a few matters that needed to be attended to...
One matter was a photo of this loan Caspian Tern. The bird looked grumpy.... or lonely... or cold, but it held its ground (or beach), and I kept my distance... and it became a win / win for everyone...!
Thank you for the very kind and encouraging comments beneath my photos...! Your support is very greatly appreciated.
The Caspian Tern glides through the air, head down, beak pointed at the water...looking for a fish near the surface.
When lunch is spotted, the tern needs to STOP soaring immediately, and DIVE into the water. To do that, the tern stalls out, like an airplane going too slowly. The tern spreads its tail feather and pulls in its wings, causing it literally to fall out of the air. It noses over and goes into a vertical dive.
This photo shows a Caspian Tern that has spotted a target. The tail feathers are spread, and the wings are beginning to move forward and up, into 'full stop'.
View in Original size: www.flickr.com/photos/nsxbirder/51422964038/sizes/o/
CASPIAN TERN-09210101-.jpg
While watching these two Caspian Terns at Montrose Point in Chicago, I was reminded that during this time of year, I often see Caspian Terns flying over Fort Mason in San Francisco carrying a fish. They are flying from the Ocean to their nest to feed their young. They are fastidious when it comes to feeding their young. Adults rinse their bills after feeding their babies. If an offered fish is accidentally dropped on the ground, the adult will rinse it off with water before re-offering it to the baby tern.
Prince Caspian Figbarf from Film & T.V. Theme (Lego Purist Minifigures)
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One of my favorite parts of early spring is the emergence and return of all the different critters and birds. Everyday can be a different experience as you never know what wildlife will show up next.
Caspian Terns hunt small fish and other prey from larger lakes and ponds. They fly over the water, hover and then dive beak first into the water to catch some unsuspecting meal.
Larus cachinnans
A visit to Norfolk to see the Syke's Warbler proved unsuccessful, so we spent some time around Cromer enjoying at least 4 different Caspian Gulls.....
This bird 'FE' had been colour ringed in Holland in May....
I was way down the beach and I heard the call of the Caspian Tern. The light was terrible and I made my way to The Pier and tried for a better angle. While I got a decent inflight capture, this was the best I could do down on the sand.
I think I got someone pissed at me ;) He took a run right at me and turned away at the last second. It took some nerve to stand there and keep shooting as they like to deficate on anyone they concider too close to their nest area! Almost all the terns ignored me, but once in a while one took a run at me.
Explored
Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area
Fremont, California
There were several terns foraging on Rainbow Lake. I didn't realize I was shooting two different species until I reviewed my pictures at home. The others were Forster's Terns. Lesson learned. Better to size up the situation before I lift my camera.
North American birds migrate to southern coasts, the West Indies and northernmost South America. European and Asian birds spend the non-breeding season in the Old World tropics. African and Australasian birds are resident or disperse over short distances. Picture taken in The Dunes, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.