Common or Arctic Tern ? (UK) (1 Viewer)

[Ram One]

Anyone able to tell me if these birds are Common or Arctic terns. At the time I thought the birds were Arctics but now I'm not sure.

Thanks,

John

 

[SteveClifton]

Not much to go on for a reliable ID, but if pushed I would lean towards Arctic on the strength of uniform-looking primaries. Common usually show a dark 'wedge' formed by darker outermost primaries which contrast with paler inner primaries/secondaries. This is usually noticeable even on distant birds, but as I said, hard to be 100% on the strength of these images.

 

[Southern Frogmouth]

Nice pale, uniform-looking primaries and long tail streamers - Arctic terns.

Cheers

Roy

 

[chris butterworth]

Another for Arctic, based on the wing pattern.

 

[Andy Hurley]

+1 for Arctic

 

[MrBiffa]

Arctic tail would give a clue

 

[Ram One]

Thanks everyone for replying. None of the birds appeared to show dark wedges when observing them which led me to think that they were Arctics.

John

 

[Tugees]

Artic tern

Looks like arctic tern. can compare with this ID photo

 

[Stuart Darbyshire]

that I'm sure Crossley would be over the moon about you just putting on here

 

[tconzemi]

that I'm sure Crossley would be over the moon about you just putting on here

don't worry this picture is widely available on internet, as so many others
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:The_Crossley_ID_Guide_Britain_and_Ireland

 

[DarkFireFalcon]

Still, it's a good idea to at least mention where you got (presumably) copyrighted work...