It would appear that we have another new bird for Australia.
The long, on-going saga (the deliberations would fill a book) of attempts to
identify the Commic (some consider possibly Antarctic) Tern photographed off
Port Fairy on 3 July has in my opinion led to the discovery of a new bird
for Australia. A bird, possibly birds, photographed at Heard Island by Neil
Cheshire on 22 July has been identified by Tony Tree of South Africa as a
Kerguelen Tern and I think he is right!
So what is the status of this species on Heard? The pictured bird may be a
vagrant but Neil did say 'birds'. According to HANZAB, Kerguelen Tern does
not wander from the three known breeding island groups of Prince Edward,
Crozet's and Kerguelen. Previous reports, including that of breeding, from
Heard have been discredited.
Mike Carter
30 Canadian Bay Road
Mt Eliza VIC 3930
Ph: (03) 9787 7136
Email:
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