HOME | DD

nitsch β€” Nesting Arctic Tern

Published: 2006-09-30 17:45:22 +0000 UTC; Views: 943; Favourites: 29; Downloads: 17
Redirect to original
Description This Arctic Tern was sitting on it's egg on Inner Farne island. Enjoy!

Arctic Tern - Sterna paradisaea
Length 35cm

Superficially very similar to common tern and told at close range by uniformly blood-red bill and very short, red legs. Underparts pale greyish, becoming paler on throat and cheeks. In flight, wings have a translucent look. Summer visitor to coasts of Britain and Ireland from wintering grounds in Antarctic seas. Present from April to September and most numerous in N and W. Breeds in large colonies, mainly on undisturbed shingle and sandy beaches. Easy to see on Farne Islands, Northumberland, where nesting birds can be viewed at very close range. Plunge-dives for fish. Utters harsh krt-krt-krt call at intruders near nest.
Related content
Comments: 35

t0nks [2008-01-02 08:03:15 +0000 UTC]

I don't want to go around and comment on every single one of your pictures. But I love them all! I love all animals, and it's such a treat being able to go through your gallery and see all these truly amazing photos.

I think this is my favourite so far as I really, really love terns. I think they are one of the most beautiful birds. ^_^

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

G-Mads [2007-10-07 02:26:12 +0000 UTC]

BACKSTREET BOYS! :B

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

frenchfox [2007-08-31 14:24:13 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful bird ! i like his colors

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

nitsch In reply to frenchfox [2007-09-01 18:30:27 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

Silvershark [2007-05-20 22:29:09 +0000 UTC]

How did I know this was taken on the Farne Islands? Beautiful photo, Farne Islands are a great place for seabirds and you've captured some amazing shots from there

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

nitsch In reply to Silvershark [2007-05-21 12:05:33 +0000 UTC]

Cheers! Yes the Farne Islands were my idea of heaven, my wife was less than impressed with the lack of toilet facilities though!

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Silvershark In reply to nitsch [2007-05-21 12:51:51 +0000 UTC]

Heaven until the terns start attacking hehehe

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

nitsch In reply to Silvershark [2007-05-21 20:18:53 +0000 UTC]

Hehe! Very true!!!

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

fraughtuk [2006-10-03 07:18:55 +0000 UTC]

Good pic bro... beautifully framed.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

nitsch In reply to fraughtuk [2006-10-04 20:34:37 +0000 UTC]

Thanks buddy!

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

BlueFlamedPhoenix [2006-10-02 20:00:27 +0000 UTC]

Cute ^_^ I love its bright red beak

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

nitsch In reply to BlueFlamedPhoenix [2006-10-02 21:09:16 +0000 UTC]

Thank you! Me too!

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

vw1956 [2006-10-01 17:24:10 +0000 UTC]

Great color and contrast

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

nitsch In reply to vw1956 [2006-10-01 22:15:22 +0000 UTC]

Thanks mate.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

vw1956 In reply to nitsch [2006-10-02 05:57:15 +0000 UTC]

YouΒ΄re always welcome

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

Joiijo [2006-10-01 13:19:37 +0000 UTC]

Pretty.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

nitsch In reply to Joiijo [2006-10-01 14:03:27 +0000 UTC]

Cheers!

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

Joiijo In reply to nitsch [2006-10-01 14:05:57 +0000 UTC]

Your welcome.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

DuckOfDeath [2006-09-30 22:11:32 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful shot! Great angle. I love terns. I always think of them as seagulls with class.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

nitsch In reply to DuckOfDeath [2006-10-01 09:49:36 +0000 UTC]

LOL they are also seagulls with attitude! If they don't like the look of you they aren't afraid to come and peck you on the head!

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

DuckOfDeath In reply to nitsch [2006-10-01 10:35:09 +0000 UTC]

Very true. They always seemed to tolerate me, but I did see them attack other people. Probably because I respected their space.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

nitsch In reply to DuckOfDeath [2006-10-01 14:03:19 +0000 UTC]

You're right. Respect for all wildlife is the key!

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

Dickie67 [2006-09-30 19:42:56 +0000 UTC]

Very nice angle, the dof is beautiful... well done

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

nitsch In reply to Dickie67 [2006-09-30 20:14:49 +0000 UTC]

Thanks Dickie!

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

THEDOC4 [2006-09-30 19:40:54 +0000 UTC]

Great shot i especially like how low you got to take the shot, at there level a beautiful natural moment.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

nitsch In reply to THEDOC4 [2006-09-30 20:14:28 +0000 UTC]

Cheers David. My knees were a little black by the end of the day!

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

THEDOC4 In reply to nitsch [2006-09-30 22:13:15 +0000 UTC]

HaHa i know the feeling, no pain no gain

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

FLuKee [2006-09-30 19:18:29 +0000 UTC]

woow! awesome! How much mm did that take?

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

nitsch In reply to FLuKee [2006-09-30 20:11:58 +0000 UTC]

Cheers mate. This one was shot at 300mm.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

SherylLaBouchardiere [2006-09-30 18:20:24 +0000 UTC]

Lovely. I can almost see that little shuffle they do before they settle around their eggs.

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

nitsch In reply to SherylLaBouchardiere [2006-09-30 20:10:52 +0000 UTC]

Thanks Sheryl

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

Zholt [2006-09-30 18:00:11 +0000 UTC]

hehe, pretty bird ^_^
Awesome shot, very close

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

nitsch In reply to Zholt [2006-09-30 20:10:07 +0000 UTC]

Cheers Zholt!

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0

teamseason100 [2006-09-30 17:50:23 +0000 UTC]

awesome picture

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 1

nitsch In reply to teamseason100 [2006-09-30 20:09:39 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

πŸ‘: 0 ⏩: 0