Dipped on a new bird

Posted on September 8, 2022 by dinajohnston

I was heading to the beach on the Gandy causeway early one morning looking for a new bird. A gull billed tern had been spotted there for several days. I parked and walked along the sand closely looking at every gull or tern. Was the above the new bird? I couldn’t tell when they were preening but when they stopped I saw that yellow tip on their beaks and knew they were just sandwich terns.

I know this little cutie is a black bellied plover.

Also not the bird I was looking for. This was a juvenile least tern.

A least tern out taking a bath.

The laughing gull is easy to spot. He was taking a bath in a puddle on the beach.

It’s past nesting season for least terns but these guys were trying to get the other tern to take the fish. The lady in the bottom was not interested.

Another least tern chasing after an adult with a fish.

I did not find the gull billed tern. I was a day late. But it was still a beautiful morning. The sun was coming up high towards Tampa and it was time to head home.

Looking towards the gulf the storms were starting to move inland.

All lined up

Posted on October 26, 2017 by dinajohnston

It was a quiet morning at the boat ramp at Fort Desoto Park. Even thought the weather was perfect in early October very few boats were going out. The seabirds were taking an early morning nap on the floating dock railings. They barely glanced at me as I walked up but I’m sure they wouldn’t have been happy if I had started to walk down the ramp and caused them to move. Most of these are sandwich terns (with the yellow tips on their beaks) and a few laughing gulls in the mix.

Over at the fishing pier, the laughing gulls were harassing the snow egrets that were all lined up. All fighting over bait fish.

Shorebirds and summer

Posted on May 31, 2017 by dinajohnston

The sandwich terns are flirting.

And taking baths.

A young ring billed gull is hanging out in the water.

A juvenile herring gull is eating a scary looking fish.

It’s been summer here for a while. The shorebirds are on the beaches (but so are the tourists). When is winter again?

More birds than bums on the beach.

Posted on December 12, 2015 by dinajohnston

Lots of shorebirds on the beach at Anna Maria Island. Since we were in between tourist seasons, there were more birds than people on the beach. Mostly royal terns and sandwich terns with a lone juvenile ring billed gull towering over the terns. Young royal terns are still begging for food from their parents even though they look old enough to get their own food.

Birds at the fishing pier

Posted on November 21, 2015 by dinajohnston

Snowy egrets waiting for a handout from a fisherman.

Cormorants keeping an eye on things from up high.

The juvenile reddish egret is still hanging around the pier.

The usual oystercatcher couple trying to stand out in the crowd.

A sandwich tern taking a bath.

A young sandwich tern still screaming for Mom to bring a snack.

A laughing gull with a shell.

Lots of different birds hanging around the fishing pier at Fort Desoto.

Going fishin!

Posted on October 19, 2015 by dinajohnston

Sandwich terns completely ignoring me.

“Hey guys look over here.”

Junior on the left is yelling at Mom to go get some fish.

Here is where you can find some bait fish. A net that hasn’t been completely emptied yet.

The laughing gulls were getting some fresh bait fish.

The water around the fishing pier was full of tiny fish.

Even the snowy egrets were getting snacks.

A sandwich tern coming up empty.

A pelican flies in to the jetty next to the pier.

“Lady, you’re not going to catch any big fish right there. And keep that fishing line away from the birds.”

Busy Saturday morning in early October at the fishing pier.

As The World Terns

Posted on September 10, 2014 by dinajohnston

“Mom, pay attention. I’m hungry.”

“I said stop ignoring me and get me some fish or I’ll throw a big tantrum.”

“Oh brother, are they flirting?” says the juvenile sandwich tern in the back.

“We are family!”

“Make room for me!”

“Dad, mom said for me to tell you to go get me some fish.”

“Please!!!” says the juvenile on the right.

“Can we get some peace and quiet around here?”

“Here comes a dog. We’re outta here.”

The beach wasn’t covered with shorebirds since it was sunny when I got to Gandy beach after work. There was still a few people out walking around and swimming. I did manage to see a small flock of sandwich terns hanging out together. They were busy preening and bathing and wasn’t paying much attention to me sitting in the car. You would think a lot of drama was going on by the way they were yelling at each other. There were a few baby terns from this spring but now they are as big as the adults. Their beaks and legs aren’t as black as the adults yet. They can fly but I think they are still being fed by the parents. Soon, most of them will be gone heading south with the other migraters.

Dina's Wildlife Adventures

Tag Archives: sandwich terns