One bad Tern deserves a good one. Sunday 4th July 2021
Two or maybe three Caspian Tern`s have been wandering between Far Ings, Reads Island, Barton Gravel Pits in Lincolnshire and Southfield Reservoir & RSPB St Aidans in Yorkshire for the last few days. After the excitement recently we thought we would try to catch up with them, so me and Kevin C gave them a go. We arrived at a clammy, dark and occasionally wet Southfield Reservoir and were greeted by none other than Mark K & his dog Ted. After seeing the freshly arrived Ruddy Shelduck`s the day kind of went downhill. No report`s or sightings of any Caspian Tern`s were received, so after 5.5 hours we went home. News of a Western Rufous Turtle Dove at Easington did not even tempt us to go for it after this disappointment.
Looking forward to a day off on Sunday, news that an Elegant Tern had been found at Cemlyn Bay on Anglesey in Wales, I was sort of tempted. Two mates of ours from Huddersfield Dave W & Rob D had gone to see the Western Rufous Turtle Dove at Easington early morning, then news that the Black-browed Albatross had returned to Bempton in Yorkshire. So after seeing Albert they got the news about the Elegant Tern and decided to do a Cross Country twitch for it. Dave W rung me and said Shall we pick you up on the way? We met at Milnrow junction at 4pm and I immediately gave them some bum directions, but we soon put that right! The weather most of the way was very showery until we reached the Rhyl area, then a few rays of sunshine came through. Good news that the Elegant Tern was still in the Sandwich Tern colony added a few more miles per hour onto our speed. The road from Valley to Cemlyn after leaving the A55 was soon negotiated, then onto the cart tracks to the reserve added to the anticipation. We could see about 10 people looking into the colony as we arrived, we then dashed along the shingle shore and were quickly directed on the Elegant Tern, it was a new British Lifer for my two pals! Well done on having completed such an epic journey today and thus getting the reward.
The masses of Sandwich Terns, Common & Arctic Terns at Cemlyn are always a joy to watch as they carefully tend to their chicks etc. Other birds in the bay: - 2 Black Guillemot`s, 20+ Manx Shearwater, two of which showed really well down to about 50 yards distance, my best ever close view of these seabirds. It was getting quite late as we left and more rain towards Manchester (where else) had me home by 10-15pm. Thanks Dave for driving.
