Bridled Tern at Bancoora (near Breamlea)

["Mike Carter" <>]

Can't help regarding the Bancoora bird but can regarding the status of the 
species in Victoria. The first record of Bridled Tern for Victoria was found 
by none-other than Sean Dooley on 27 December 1998. It was sitting on a 
jetty at the bottom of his fathers garden at Patterson Lakes near Carrum on 
the eastern side of Port Phillip Bay (Melway Map 97 F9). At the time an 
intense gale was lashing Bass Strait and the Bay with heavy rain the 
previous day. As usual, I was in the bath so didn't answer the phone until 
about the third ring when I had the feeling someone wanted me urgently. 
Dripping on my carpet in Mt Eliza, I was ordered to make my way immediately, 
undressed if necessary, to that address. I confirmed the ID and managed to 
get some reasonable photos, at least one of which was published. I am not 
sure of any subsequent sightings but think there has been at least one.
Mike Carter
30 Canadian Bay Road
Mount Eliza  VIC 3930
Tel  (03) 9787 7136