One thing that they should be famous for is their absolute ferocity - for a bird of their size and mass they must be one of the most aggressive species on Earth! On the Farne Islands, this tendency to fierceness comes to the fore because the birds nest right next to, and sometimes on, the paths around the island - and when camera and binocular draped birders get too close the bird consider the birders fair game!
Even through my well loved canvas bucket hat, it was surprisingly painful when the birds stabbed me on the head!
Under circumstances like this my traditional low key green dress sense seems a little redundant!
On a more serious note, the Arctic Tern - Stena paradisaea - is about 35 cm long, and carries that wonderful combination of black, white, grey and red that make this bird so wonderful to see, and rather difficult to split from Common Tern. There were terns all over the place on the islands, in in some places you had to step over birds that were protecting their young on the boardwalks and pathways. Well over 1000 pairs of Arctic Terns nest on these islands - along with smaller number of Common and Sandwich Terns.
Now it's over to you - click the link below and off you go!
love that photo of you!!! :D
ReplyDeletewhat great looking birds. love the fuzzy chick, too. so cute!
Great photo! Sounds like a lot of activity around that area. Around the New England states, they roped off the nesting areas from people. Terns are a beautiful group of birds....and the story behind the Arctic's migration is an amazing one. Imagine all the places they visit:)
ReplyDeleteHey you look great with a bird on your head!!:) I love the little ones!
ReplyDeleteYour Artic Terns, as beautiful as they are ... the baby stole the show. Wouldn't life be fun if grownups were as cute as their babies? Speaking of cute ... maybe that's the wrong term ... handsome sounds better. You look awesome with a bird on your head and I am impressed with the heavy camera equipment (have any back problems?). This was a great post, Stewart. Love the sense of humor ... something we all need these days.
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From the Sol
Since I already have two posts, I may as well post a third to explain ... I am impatient with my computer and end up clicking on the "Publish" button more than once if it is taking too long. Sorry to use up your predious space :)
ReplyDeleteAndrea
Wonderful images of the Arctic Terns. They are such interesting birds, and the distances they traverse during migrations are amazing. I did not venture into a nesting colony in Manitoba, but watch someone walk "innocently" through it, under vigorous attack.
ReplyDeleteThe lichen makes for some colorful shots. And you were definitely photo bombed!
ReplyDeleteOuch!
ReplyDeleteA fantastic post Stewart... wonderful images.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous birds! I love the little fluff balls. :)
ReplyDeleteExcellent series Stewart of this feisty Tern.
ReplyDeleteThat chick is adorable!!! But, the one photo I like best this week is that of yourself!!!!
ReplyDeletesuch tiny little feet :>)
ReplyDeletelol, I was there 2 years ago. Loved it. It was possible to rent a hard plastic hat during the visit. :) I totally loved the visit.
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful shots. They really are beautiful birds - and the chick is so cute. I love the shot of you with the bird on your head. Ouch!
ReplyDeleteNice shots - I especially loved the one of the little chick!
ReplyDeleteBrave and beautiful birds, the migration of them is fascinating. That's a great place for birding.
ReplyDeleteI hope he left a deposit on your bucket hat. Leaving his mark will be something you can remember that moment by long from now...as long as you never wash your hat.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Tern Stewart, I love it.
ReplyDeleteLovely birds. Nice pix of you, too.
ReplyDeleteExcellent captures of the Tern, and you too Stewart.:)) Cute shot of the chick also. Great series!
ReplyDeleteStewart, the beak on the Arctic Tern looks sharp. I would not want to be poked in the head by this bird. Great photos, I love the chick! Thanks for hosting! Enjoy your week!
ReplyDeleteWe can not imagine a more beautiful observation!
ReplyDeleteCéline & Philippe
Great pictures Stewart. I have heard about their feisty behaviour. Glad you survived.
ReplyDeleteNice to see the photog at work!
ReplyDeleteGlad to be aboard
ALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
=^..^= . <3 . >< } } (°>
LOL! That's an awesome photo! Not everyone can say they've got a picture of a tern sitting on them! Beautiful shots!
ReplyDeleteHow cool you have Arctic terns there right now. I have been searching the wharves of lake Ontario lately trying to capture a few with my lens
ReplyDeleteTerns are fun birds to watch and take in their beautiful wardrobe. Yours too!
ReplyDeleteLike the flashy car story. MB
Hi Well your shots bring back memories of my trip to Farne. Great shots of the Terns. Thanks for hosting.
ReplyDeleteStewart, that photo of you might be the best photo of all-time sir :)
ReplyDeleteOMG, what a great photos of YOU and Arctic Terns♪
ReplyDeleteI was SO impressed by your camera, you look professional and thought blog friends who take great pictures must have these wonderful SLR :-)
I smiled that you said 'this my traditional low key green dress sense seems a little redundant'
LOVELY shots of them and baby is SO adorable. I wish I lived the bird-full environment♫♫♫
Sincerely from Japan, xoxo Miyako*
Super shots- I think I have camera envy! LOL!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! Inspired me to post some Sandwich Terns!
ReplyDeleteIowa Voice
Beautiful photos of the terns! But OUCH! That beak looks pretty sharp! And, oh, that camera!!!!
ReplyDeleteOuch! If they weren't so beautiful, they'd never get away with that kind of behavior. It's a wonderful collection of photos--love the shot of you with the bird on your hat, and that fluffy little one is darling!
ReplyDeleteLovely birds, and what a migration story they have, amazing! Your images are awesome, love the one with a tern on your head :) and the fuzzy little one. Enjoyed your post!
ReplyDeleteMeant to tell you--that baby tern is precious!!!! Check out my videos of the hummingbirds from Madera Canyon....I finally figured out how to get them posted!
ReplyDeleteThat fluff-ball of a baby is adorable! This is a beautiful bird, love the tail. That bill does appear to be meant for business! It is a nice adornment for your hat, I must say. Thanks for hosting, sharing your knowledge, and all these great birds with us.
ReplyDeletethe little bird seem so friendly as if saying to you, take my photo for i am smiling haha. great captures as always.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots! :) I love that baby bird, so sweet!
ReplyDeleteThere's always terns and guls with nests near my parents house and terns can be VERY agressive when they have babies. :/
LOVELY!!!
ReplyDeleteGreetings
Tina
Great photos of the Arctic Tern, Stewart.
ReplyDeleteThe picture of you with the Arctic Tern on your hat, I find totally amazing.
Best regards, Irma
I certainly did not know that Arctic Terns behaved like our magpies that dive-bomb anyone passing under a tree that they nest in.
ReplyDeleteI did not notice your fetching headdress on Facebook but the again, I packed everything for this trip except my glasses so I do labour under a slight disadvantage.
I had to smile when I saw your photo. The birds are beautiful and the chick is too cute!
ReplyDeleteThese are Fantastic captures! and the baby just steals my heart :)
ReplyDeleteGreat equipment you have there and wonderful colors with the yellow background. Love the straight forward shot of the sleek Tern!
ReplyDeleteLovely captures, Stewart. Thanks for hosting.
ReplyDeleteThey look very fashionable with their red lipstick and shoes!
ReplyDeleteIs it okay if we laugh at you with the bird on your head? Sorry I had to. I did have a chickadee land on my long lens once but never on my head. Your pictures are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteFantastic shots, Stewart.
ReplyDeleteI rather like the sporty one of yourself, sporting that bird on your head - quite a camera setup! And OH! the fuzzy fletching.
Awww... love the terns... 'specially the little fuzzy guy...
ReplyDeleteWell, it's been a while for me to drop by - but my you do get around Stewart! Great shots & I love "the selfie"
ReplyDeletePeter
Wow, that's amazing pictures, Stewart.
ReplyDeleteThe 4. photo of the seagull ist my favorite with the open beakt/ lip.
Best regards, Wieczora (◔‿◔) | Mein Fotoblog
Wow! Those birds are tough critters. Sweet baby too. So they nest there and fly here (to Alaska?)... need to read more on that. ( might have seen some in the wildlife center place in Seward where I photod the puffins (the ones I couldn't get good pix of in the wild ... unlike some better photographers I know ;>)
ReplyDeleteAnyway wonderful pictures , loved the info too. I have several birds to post eventually; can't seem to be in the right place at the right time to link up ; traveling makes that a bit harder up here. I will be back.
Amazing photos
ReplyDeleteAmazing photos
ReplyDelete