... and approaching the island several of the large number of Puffins there gave irresistible views ...
... but terns were the main target ... and particularly Roseate Terns ...
... many of the juveniles were now fledged and waited on the rocks to be fed ...
... this juvenile showing the characteristic scalloped tertials as it looks to its parent ...
The adult Roseate Tern flies by and shows the typical features ...
... pale grey mantle ...
... dark outer four primaries ...
... long tail streamers ...
... long slim decurved bill ...
With constant action from the four species of tern there is never a dull moment ... this Sandwich Tern flies by on a steady flight line of that species ...
... showing similarly dark outer primaries but with a darker mantle ... and this Common Tern shows the typical dark wedge in the primaries ...
... as well a a faint dark secondary bar and red and black bill ... then a juvenile Arctic Tern flew just above the boat ...
... with all translucent primaries and a shorter stubbier bill ... and a juvenile Sandwich Tern contrasted with the adult in having scalloping rather reminiscent of juvenile Roseate Tern ...
On the rocks there was a mix of Common and Arctic Terns ...
... the blood red bill, duskier underparts and shorter legs of the Arctic Tern behind contrast with the features of Common Tern along with the darker primaries of the Common Tern ...
And a juvenile Common Tern flew a short distance ...
... to show its browner barred mantle, dark carpal bar and dark secondary bar ...
... and landed next to an adult to show those same features with the closed wing ...
Another Sandwich Tern flew by ...
... with the white forehead of winter plumage beginning to show ...
A more advanced juvenile Common Tern flew overhead ...
... while as the boat headed for port an adult Roseate Tern gave some nice final views on the rocky shore ...
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