I saw at least one of the Caspians at Weskeag this early morning. Some flight photos from yesterday revealed small fish as their main choice at the time.
Don
> From: mfahay@gmail.com
> Subject: [Maine-birds] Caspian Terns - Maquoit Bay
> Date: Thu, 30 Apr 2015 14:08:16 -0400
> To: maine-birds@googlegroups.com
>
> I always think of Caspian Terns as 1-day wonders…or maybe 1-hour wonders. So what's going on at Weskeag and at Maquoit Bay seems very unusual. This morning, 2 Caspian Terns were actively diving on fish prey at the mouth of the tidal creek, visible from Rossmore Rd. , from ca 9:07 until 9:28 when they were loafing with RBGulls and I left. This marks at least the third day of their presence here.
>
> If the bird at Weskeag is seen today, that would also mark the 3rd day.
>
> I'm itching to know what species of fish is their targeted prey. I can't figure out a way to get close enough while they're fishing to get a good photo, but I'm leaning toward elvers, based on size (within the terns' prey range) , time of year, and local habitat. (Elver nets have been present in the small creek that crosses Rossmore.)
>
> The birds were diving when I arrived, so I don't know how long their feeding bouts last. They purposefully chose a spot right next to a GBHeron to rest, however, possibly taking advantage of the latter's size to offer some protection. Maybe somebody can get a photo, or at least make an obs. in flight if prey is vis in the bill. There aren''t many fishes around that look like elvers.
>
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> Subject: [Maine-birds] Caspian Terns - Maquoit Bay
> Date: Thu, 30 Apr 2015 14:08:16 -0400
> To: maine-birds@googlegroups.com
>
> I always think of Caspian Terns as 1-day wonders…or maybe 1-hour wonders. So what's going on at Weskeag and at Maquoit Bay seems very unusual. This morning, 2 Caspian Terns were actively diving on fish prey at the mouth of the tidal creek, visible from Rossmore Rd. , from ca 9:07 until 9:28 when they were loafing with RBGulls and I left. This marks at least the third day of their presence here.
>
> If the bird at Weskeag is seen today, that would also mark the 3rd day.
>
> I'm itching to know what species of fish is their targeted prey. I can't figure out a way to get close enough while they're fishing to get a good photo, but I'm leaning toward elvers, based on size (within the terns' prey range) , time of year, and local habitat. (Elver nets have been present in the small creek that crosses Rossmore.)
>
> The birds were diving when I arrived, so I don't know how long their feeding bouts last. They purposefully chose a spot right next to a GBHeron to rest, however, possibly taking advantage of the latter's size to offer some protection. Maybe somebody can get a photo, or at least make an obs. in flight if prey is vis in the bill. There aren''t many fishes around that look like elvers.
>
> --
> Maine birds mailing list
> maine-birds@googlegroups.com
> http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
> https://sites.google.com/site/birding207
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