Terns and others at Kirk Point, Western Treatment Plant, Port Phillip Bay

Hi Jack

As Jill said, your description is completely consistent with Common Tern. 

But you didn't mention the trailing edge of the primary feathers which is 
white/pale in White-fronted and Roseate Terns. When birds are at rest you can 
see this along the "top" of the folded wing, a feature which is shown or 
described in the main guides.

At Ricketts Point on the other side of Port Phillip January is the peak month 
for Common Terns.  The highest count was 47 in April 2002.

In the RAOU Atlas there are no summaer records of White-fronted Tern in Port 
Phillip. But they can't be ruled out now they are nesting in Bass Strait.

Michael Norris
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