Tern Question. (1 Viewer)

Hi Folks.
Today in Peel Isle of Man I could see some Terns, now I had my Bins but could not quite make out what type they were, Common, Sandwich ? perhaps someone else has seen them and has a better ID.
Secondly I saw what I thought was a Kittiwake in the mouth of the river where it comes past the castle (low tide so there was a fair ammount of sand ) having a bath in the shallows. Was this such a sighting or am I confusing it with another bird, possibly a common Gull.
Many thanks for any help.

(I also saw your other thread on the subject)

Limpopo said:

Hi Folks.
Today in Peel Isle of Man I could see some Terns, now I had my Bins but could not quite make out what type they were, Common, Sandwich ? perhaps someone else has seen them and has a better ID.
Secondly I saw what I thought was a Kittiwake in the mouth of the river where it comes past the castle (low tide so there was a fair ammount of sand ) having a bath in the shallows. Was this such a sighting or am I confusing it with another bird, possibly a common Gull.
Many thanks for any help.

Click to expand...

Hallo there,

The terns in Peel Bay are almost always sandwich terns, other species being rare visitors (to Peel). I have seen sandwich terns out in the bay on several occasions in the last fortnight, including 11 on one occasion. Even when they are far out you can often hear their distinctive calls.

Yes, kittiwakes often come into Peel Bay, although they are not usually in the shallows. They breed out the back of Peel Hill, although in very much reduced numbers these days. Common gulls sometimes do come to Peel and are seen by the beach or out in the bay, although not usually at this time of the year. Exceptions do happen, of course!

Allen