Jaeger in Newy Harbour

[Mick Roderick <>]

Hi all,

 

Over the past week or so I have been observing an Arctic Jaeger (or two) harassing Common / Crested Terns and Silver Gulls in Newcastle Harbour. Records of this species at this time of year in the Newcastle area are usually from within the harbour (as opposed to outside of the heads at other times when it is present).

 

There have been schools of 'chopper' Tailor in the harbour and many Terns have been feeding on these...and many of these Tailor seem to end up recycled into the gullet of the Jaeger! The Tailor schools usually move out onto the beaches by Easter, which perhaps explains the Jaeger being inside the heads at this time (?).

 

If anyone is in the area, this is a very entertaining spectacle and it is especially interesting to watch the bird when it is settled on the calm water, bobbing like giant pigeon. The calmer waters of the harbour make for better observations than normal.

 

There are also consistently over 20 Sooty Oystercatchers on the rock platforms which again, is a great sight.

 

Mick

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