[Stonefaction]

Looking at photos of the current American Black Tern in NW England and also doing a spot of reading, I revisited my own photos of a Black Tern I found at Easthaven in Scotland on 8th September 2011.

My bird did have a bit of grey on the flanks (which may have been commented on at the time by someone - possibly on here). I had a look at photos of Black Tern from the USA on flickr and notice that the amount of grey seems quite variable.

Looking back at Birdguides from the days prior to my sighting there were a lot of American birds seen (mostly in the west) suggesting that my memory of strong westerlies around that time is accurate. I can't make out how much contrast there is (if any) between the black behind the eye and the top of the head shade, although there is a hint of a paler top in one of the photos.

While American Black Tern is fresh in the minds of birders in the UK does anyone want to rule out/in the possibility of mine being ABT? Would be delighted if it was, but not surprised if it wasn't.

[phil baber]

Lovely photos. Tho' am getting a Black Tern juv feeling from them.

[smiths]

Hi,
this certainly looks like an interesting Black Tern.
Do you have more photographs of it, showing the head pattern in good light, and the pattern of uppertail coverts?

[Jan-Paul Charteris]

I think it was me that suggested American Black Tern in your orginal thread on this bird? I'm sure I recognise the photos. The flanks look fairly limited in extent and the black on head looks quite a lot for American looking at it now though, though whether it's more within variation for American or Eurasian birds I don't know

[Stonefaction]

Hi Smiths.

Unfortunately, I don't really have either. I was shooting into strong sunlight at all times, although once I got round in front of the bird things were marginally better. I've attached a couple of different angles but neither of them are even in focus, so I doubt they will be any help whatsoever.

[Stonefaction]

Jan-Paul, this photo taken in Florida looks similar in the extent of the grey on the flanks, and possibly similar amounts of black on the head.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dave_irving/4981107798/

Wish I'd got more (and better) photos.

[smiths]

You have to take into account (European) birds like this one from the Netherlands though:
http://waarneming.nl/foto/view/410944?lang=en&local=nl

[Stonefaction]

I do now suspect that it is "just" a Black Tern (which was a good find for me - still not seen one this year), but I wondered when I saw the photos of American Black Tern if there was a slight chance that "my" one was, hence the re-posting. Thanks for the replies, guys.