BLACK TERN - Sumas Prairie Dixon/Campbell Road

[Dave]

At the Bos Sod Farm early this afternoon was a BLACK TERN. It was being harassed by a portion on the 450+ Barn Swallows in the area! It sure took me off guard to have this unusual sighting over some grass fields?? I was glad it stayed in the area long enough for some pictures.









Among the Swallows...









Also in the area were good numbers of Savannah Sparrows, 1 Lincoln's Sparrow, and a dozen or so American Pipits.

[kestrel]

Great find Dave!

[Chris]

Dave, that is an awesome sighting. Well done on documenting it as well. Not an easy thing to do with Black Terns.

[Randy]

Great find! I have to say I have seen many of these in SK, but never in winter plumage. I actually had no idea they looked like this non-breeding and to be honest if I had seen this I probably would have mistaken it for a Bonaparte's gull. So much still to learn!

[murraybrown]

Fabulous find and great photography Dave!

[Dave]

Thanks! And to think I was looking for a Buff-breasted Sandpiper. Black Tern certainly wasn't on the radar! Such is birding!

[Gord]

Dave, great bird and indeed quite the surprise to find one there.

I still smile recalling the phone call with you telling me of this bird that went by with the swallow escort. The best part was when it came back and you said "It's back! Bye!!" but forgot to hang up. The rat-a-tat-tat of a camera shutter going full speed over the phone proved you were working hard at documenting it!

[Harrier]

The swallows must have thought they had found their king!