Longham Lakes - Whiskered tern

The whiskered tern was present on a dull and dreary morning at Longham Lakes that felt more like February than May.  The assemblage of species overwhelmingly suggested otherwise.  The lake was teeming with hirundines and swift, a cuckoo was calling from woodland on the west side and reed warbler were scratching away from the phragmites.  There was a noticeable increase in house martin today.

The tern was the only individual of this taxon present on the lake. It would rest on the buoys for a while then head off on feeding sorties - typically elegant in flight swooping low to the surface of the water feeding on insects.

From here I headed down to Portland which was very quiet.  The afternoon sun felt amazing as the winds were light and the views as always are lovely.

Bits and pieces picked up during the afternoon were 11 kittiwake amongst large numbers of gull feeding close inshore, A hobby flew past the bill, three wheatear along the east cliffs, a little owl in the quarry, raven and a few hirundines flying through.  There were at least 30 little tern at Ferrybridge.