After the OFO birding outing led by Len Manning I end up going back to Hutchin's Restaurant at 1:15 pm to watch the lake. As the rain started around 2:30 pm and flock of mixed gulls and terns flew in from the lake and landed with a group of gulls already gathered there. With the flock were two juvenile Arctic Terns. I was able to see from 70 feet the differences between the Arctic Terns and juvenile and winter plumage adult Common Terns. The juvenile Arctic Terns were characterized by pale grey scaling on the back, wing coverts and primaries; short black bill; round head; dark cap on back of head and nape somewhat less restricted; very light carpal-bar relative to the juvenile Common Terns; noticeable smaller body mass. Because of sleet; drizzle and high winds I was unable to photographs. Andrew Don told me that he seen a small flock of Arctic Terns near on the island off East Port Drive just after 7:00 this morning.
Directions: Located off Van Wagners Beach Road which can be accessed off the QEW from the Woodward exiting heading east or the East Port Drive exit heading west. Wayne Renaud ([email protected]) _______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS including how to unsubscribe visit http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdssetup Posting guidelines can be found at http://www.ofo.ca/site/page/view/information.ontbirdsguide
