Black Tern
Looks right to me,
H
The last image looks like a Little Gull, and the Tern....with that underwing why not a White-winged Tern?
Cheers
....with that underwing why not a White-winged Tern?
Cheers
The last image looks like a Little Gull, and the Tern....with that underwing why not a White-winged Tern?
Cheers
Exactly because of that underwing. WWT have black underwing coverts that are highly contrasting with pale flight-feather bases. The OP bird shows a typical Black Tern underwing pattern.
Am totally aware of what a full adult WWT would look like regarding black underwing coverts,
That's an adult there, with an adult plumage. First summers (WWT and BT) stay in Africa, if that's what you mean re moult strategies...
EDIT: on the moult question: WWT go from white (winter plumage) straight to black underwing coverts (summer), with never going through grey, if that's what you were asking.