I think I'd rather be in West Africa...

How soon we forget. I was attempting to do some archiving, funny how you always get distracted. I think I was well distracted earlier in the year and have many images I have not posted... so here are a few of them for now.

Along with the Common Terns at Preston Dock, Lee Harrison came across at least one, possibly more Arctic Tern on a couple of occasions (Hi Lee, hope all's well there) generally late evening. The one night he wasn't there and I managed a record photo of one, splitting them out from the Commons is not easy....especially when it is nearly dark!

Some images of the Common Terns and the eclectic catch both fresh and sea water fishes on the diet – clearly the Common Terns are not fussy. One of the juveniles getting airborne and the Gulls, despite their size don't get much of a look-in when the Common Terns are around.

And completely off-subject for a change, I meant to include a few weeks ago but didn't, Tom doing his thing.

Arctic Tern, nearly dark (when taken, not the bird)

Arctic Tern, lightened image

for no apparent reason they all lift off at once and do a circuit or two, a few of them, frame too small 

Tom Finney and the famous 'splash' image, now a statue outside Preston North End... nobody remembers the photographer!

It's those Common Terns again

Meanwhile over at the Commoners

A flavour of what's happening I hope... a lot of protection, what I have called 'formation flying', incubation and of course fishing. The 'formation flying' is a new one on me. I am not even sure it is 'a pair', although it frequently involves two birds, but sometimes a third or fourth joins in. They also seem to fly in 'circles' and are going as high as I have ever seen them, nearly out of sight, over the docks. There doesn't seem to be any aggresion to speak of (they're always stroppy) and no passing of fish or anything like that. Just seems to be good fun. I'm sure a qualified ornithologist will know precisely what it is. Probably 'pair bonding'.

For no reason at all, the local Coots suddenly get 'what for'!

'Formation flying'

Sometimes close to the water

More often at considerable height

A 'nest'; as I write it wouldn't surprise me if these have hatched now as they have been incubated for about twelve days at least

Not the best photo, but don't fret, they return pretty quickly and it seems to get pretty hot on the pontoons

Meanwhile half 'the fleet' are off fishing, pretty succesfully too

One Good Tern...

Cringe! Trying to catch up, these were taken a week ago. Now pay attention and make notes, I'll be asking questions later! Not really, but later blogs will allow to compare growth rate I hope. We mark able! The local roach population must be beginning to suffer!

Just to get this out of the way, I'd mentioned Hilda Ogden's flying ducks in an ealier
post and shiver me timbers nearly got these three mallards in the right pose
over Preston Docks! Nearly!

The main family – he's such a good fisherman

Feeding junior

'sleek' or wot?

Doesn't matter how big you are.... these Common Terns take no prisoners!

Note the 'nest' and three eggs to the right of the wing

A good old sqwabble (note the change in light and background!)

Just missed the bottom wing tip off the photo... nearly!

One of my better photos methinks

Common as muck

It was grey, miserable and overcast, but I can't drive past and ignore them...

More aerobatics from the Common Terns. A number of juveniles, about 7, I made it, another 6 nests with eggs and pairs still mating... this may go on a bit longer this year than previous years. Dad had been out fishing, but so big was his catch, he ate it himself! Once out of the tryes, the artificial nests, the youngsters can't get back in! However the parents are taking great care of them, harassing the gulls and any dogs (on the 'promenade') that come anywhere near, so opportunity for some more photos. Only issue was the light, but once again terrific fun watching the antics of these Terns.