Dean Portelli 16/3/03 5:59 PM
> G'Day all,
>
> Following Jill Dennings posting I had a browse of Michael Morcombe's site
> and went to the page concerning the WWBTern. I take the individual shown to
> be a juvenile/immature bird - can anyone with a better knowledge of this
> species confirm this and provide a better description (i.e. precise plumage,
> e.g. first winter???)? I presume the photos with the waders are of the same
> bird as the video-grab shots on the website.
> Follow link to the tern page:
> http://www.michaelmorcombe.com.au/birdinfo10.html
Dean,
I also took this to be an immature White -winged Black Tern WWTE, and have
just sent you privately a jpg shot I took a year or two ago in January of an
immature which came into care in Noosa, SEQld. Whilst I didn't see any
reference to the month of the picture on the website, it is consistent with
what I regard as a WWTE which has replaced its juvenile plumage with first
immature plumage, which, I understand occurs in August. I would guess that
the bird is 3-9 months old. I come into difficulty after the March,
following birth, when I am no longer clear of imm plumage. It is difficult
in the field, as there is so much dark plumage on the adult birds anyway as
they come into breeding plumage. I am watching closely this year to try to
learn to differentiate just prior to departure.
At this stage I have no way of picking 2nd imm birds (ie over 12 months old)
when they arrive from the breeding grounds, if it can be done. I wonder if
there is anyone else lurking on the list, who might be able to cast some
light? Mike Carter?
cheers,
Jill
--
Jill Dening
Sunshine Coast, Qld
26º 51' 152º 56'
Ph (07) 5494 0994
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