Okay that description sounds pretty convincing.
Was Arctic Tern ruled out (can be done via transparency of the primaries/secondaries)? They have turned in inland Australia before.
Cheers,
D.
> From:
> To:
> Date: Fri, 4 Oct 2013 13:49:41 +1000
> Subject: RE: [canberrabirds] FSTW: Eastern Common Tern
>
> As one of the lucky throng that had gathered to watch this rare visitor
> yesterday evening, here are my impressions. Would be good to hear other
> peoples thoughts, as they would no doubt improve on mine!
>
> Apparently better views had been obtained before I arrived, what I saw was
> from quite a distance. However, the bird was clearly one of the 'commic'
> terns (ie the group of similar sized and plumaged species including Common,
> Arctic, White-fronted, Roseate). Compared to the 10+ breeding plumaged
> Whiskered Terns with which it was flying it was a bit larger with
> proportionately longer wings and a much longer tail. It had a black cap,
> with a bright white rump and whitish underparts. The bill appeared to be
> black although it was difficult to be certain given the distance. Wing
> pattern was also not very clear to me but appeared to match Common Tern
> better than anything else. Given Milburn's extensive experience with
> seabirds I would be very surprised if his identification was incorrect. I
> would also add that the alternatives seem even less likely to turn up in the
> ACT.
>
> There are a handful of inland records of Common Terns mentioned in HANZAB
> but evidently this is a very rare occurrence, and a great find. I find it
> interesting that this species appears to be almost exclusively marine in its
> southern hemisphere wintering grounds (eg. apparently rare inland in
> southern Africa where it is common in winter), while being as much a
> freshwater bird as a marine one in the Northern Hemisphere where it breeds.
>
> Cheers
> Steve
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: milburn [
> Sent: Thursday, 3 October 2013 8:22 PM
> To:
> Subject: [canberrabirds] FSTW: Eastern Common Tern
>
> An adult Eastern Common Tern (Sterna hirundo longipennis), still in breeding
> plumage, was with the flock of Whiskered Terns (approximately
> 15) at the largest pond at Fyshwick Sewage Treatment Plant this evening
> until sunset. The bird was visible from the Old Dairy Flat Road at the
> heavy green gate looking towards the green hut.
>
> Milburn
>
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