Elland Gravel Pits was my last port of call having drawn a blank at a few other local sites therefore I didn't arrive until around 19:25hrs as the light was beginning to fade.
+copy.jpg)
The only bird around was unbelievably a Black Tern. I phoned Nick Dawtrey but no answer, then I texted Dave Sutcliffe with the news. I watched the bird for around half an hour until the light had faded completely and managed to photograph it although the quality is poor for a number of reasons, primarily poor light, distance from the subject and difficulty in actually following the bird as it gracefully hawked for insects up and down and over the water, at no time coming to rest.
+copy.jpg)
A great bird which the attached photos sadly don't do it justice. I have observed this species on quite a few occasions previously, as recently as a month ago in huge numbers but the adult plumage then bore no resemblance to this, therefore I suspect that this bird is an adult moulting into winter plumage.
+copy.jpg)
Any comments with regard to my assumption of the age of this bird will be very welcome.
6 comments:
Excellent find David. And the pictures are pretty good too inspite of the poor light.
great bird and very good photo's for a flying bird
I'd agree with the id as an adult moulting in to winter plumage
the blackish marks on the belly are typical for this time of year
great find
Tony M and Steve L also went down there following the text alert and saw the bird late on. It was nearly dark and the bird was roosting on a bouy. No reports of the bird today.
Well done with the photo's Dave.
Darned good photos in the conditions Dave. Well spotted.
Thanks for the positive comments guys, I'm pleased someone else managed to get a glimpse of it. The bird must have come to rest on the buoy after I left around 20:00hrs.
Incidentally on the way back to the car 3 large bats were on the wing feeding about 15-20 metres above the Brighouse/Elland road.
Post a Comment