Black Tern Update Page

The Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) is a species at risk in Canada. It is designated as 'Special Concern' both federally and provincially. The Black Tern is found at Hullett! Most days it can be found flying over the marsh either skimming over the water, gleaning insects off the surface, or hawking for insects in the air. They are expert flyers and a treat to watch as they wing around the Bluebill Pool.

A July canoe trip into the bulrush, and cattails enabled us to take these close-up pictures. There were 2 nests, both with 3 eggs (the one above), found and photographed. During the session, the adult birds were clearly agitated.

'I was at the marsh this morning at Bluebill Pond. I observed 4 adult Black Terns carrying food back to the general area where the nests were. One young bird is now flying and skimming the water feeding itself but the rest are still in the reeds. The parent birds are trying to coax them into the air at times. The adults are also starting to moult. When they are through moulting, they will look like the juvenile birds - white underneath and light grey above with a facial pattern.' (update from Matt Oswald 8/1/07)