Oysterbed update

These were taken since my last posting.

To introduce you to the site, here is a pano.


http://peterd-2009.smugmug.com/gallery/9023853_3A22f/1/#612698199_VdCp9-A-LB

The lagoon has two islands, the nearest is South Island and the other is North Island. As can be seen here, the lagoon is enclosed on all sides but for a weir near North Island which feeds into Langstone Harbour. A public walkway forms a U shape around the lagoonThe banks in the distance are out of bounds to the public as they too are used by breeding birds.

Now on to the activities seen last Thursday:

Most of the Black-backed gulls have left now and so too have most of the Common Tern. Those remaining are still looking after chicks which are now getting more adventuras because there is more space. Some chick now wander to the waters edge and are closely guarded by their parents.


http://peterd-2009.smugmug.com/gallery/8916554_2JU45/1/#612872587_LCvtx-A-LB

http://peterd-2009.smugmug.com/gallery/8916554_2JU45/1/#612872802_Qhb9V-A-LB
The chick's plumage provides good camouflage and protects it before fledging.

Having fed the chick, the adult stands on a nearby rock to keep guard and preen itself.

http://peterd-2009.smugmug.com/gallery/8916554_2JU45/1/#612955627_B9knu-A-LB

The chick has been careless and not eaten all this fish it has been given. Just behind and o the left of the chick a whole fish lies on the stones (Can be seen if you view the original size image). A passing Black-headed Gull spots the fish and approaches. The adult Tern has spotted this.


http://peterd-2009.smugmug.com/gallery/8916554_2JU45/1/#612956177_cCNZa-A-LB
The adult Tern takes off and drives the Gull away whilst the chick seeks refuge against a rock.

http://peterd-2009.smugmug.com/gallery/8916554_2JU45/1/#612956766_ezFk5-A-LB

I watched another pair of Tern. This time a juvenile with flight feathers and an adult. For 1.5 hrs whilst I was there, the juvenile just sat on the rock with the adult watching over it. I suspect it had not yet taken its first flight and was weighing up whether to try or not.

http://peterd-2009.smugmug.com/gallery/8916554_2JU45/1/#612873984_44HcA-A-LB
At the end of my stay, I had the privelidge to see the adult dive in he lagoon and catch a fish. I am sure it was more for the benefit of the juvenile than for me:rolleyes . But with luck I captured both birds in this image.

http://peterd-2009.smugmug.com/gallery/8916554_2JU45/1/#612957283_G4J83-A-LB

Now for todays visit. There seemed to be quite a bit of aggression around with adult Tern vying for the best perches from which to spot fish.
This Tern came racing in to try and land on the 'no landing' sign on South Island. Seeing it was already occupied it gave out a warning call.

http://peterd-2009.smugmug.com/gallery/8916554_2JU45/1/#615192606_PeZZa-A-LB

A tussle occured and the arriving bird won.

http://peterd-2009.smugmug.com/gallery/8916554_2JU45/1/#615193752_jWFWw-A-LB
Although this looks dramatic, the previous occupier of this spot flew off OK.
The new occupier had receives some battle scars as can be seen here. A white patch on its black cap.

http://peterd-2009.smugmug.com/gallery/8916554_2JU45/1/#615195265_VY3Q2-A-LB

Sorry it's so long but I hope these shots are of interest