Author Topic: Help to identify white bird diving into canal  (Read 1396 times)

Help to identify white bird diving into canal
« on: 27 June, 2011, 05:53:19 pm »
Yesterday Mrs G and I were walking along the canal when we saw a pair of white birds that were diving into the water.  They were not going very deep but were definitely hunting for things ( fish I presume ) by diving.  Their tails were similar to a Red Kite.  Their beaks were red.  They had a shrill call.  When a buzzard floated over their way on the thermals they did lots of calling.  They were probably the size of a gull if a little smaller.

What sort of bird is it please?

Snakehips

  • Twixt London and leafy Surrey
Re: Help to identify white bird diving into canal
« Reply #1 on: 27 June, 2011, 05:55:45 pm »
Sounds like a Common Tern
An nescis, mi fili, quantilla prudentia mundus regatur?

Re: Help to identify white bird diving into canal
« Reply #2 on: 27 June, 2011, 06:02:07 pm »
Thank you.  Seems to fit the bill ( pardon the pun ).  Problem solved.

Wowbagger

  • Stout dipper
    • Stuff mostly about weather
Re: Help to identify white bird diving into canal
« Reply #3 on: 27 June, 2011, 06:10:45 pm »
You can always tell because they take it in terns.
Quote from: Dez
It doesn’t matter where you start. Just start.

border-rider

Re: Help to identify white bird diving into canal
« Reply #4 on: 27 June, 2011, 06:13:27 pm »
G'wan, you're just gulling him now  >:(

Wowbagger

  • Stout dipper
    • Stuff mostly about weather
Re: Help to identify white bird diving into canal
« Reply #5 on: 27 June, 2011, 06:14:10 pm »
I didn't think he was that gullible.
Quote from: Dez
It doesn’t matter where you start. Just start.

rogerzilla

  • When n+1 gets out of hand
Re: Help to identify white bird diving into canal
« Reply #6 on: 27 June, 2011, 06:17:23 pm »
I would have preferred a couple of shags.
Hard work sometimes pays off in the end, but laziness ALWAYS pays off NOW.

RJ

  • Droll rat
Re: Help to identify white bird diving into canal
« Reply #7 on: 28 June, 2011, 09:16:30 pm »
Well, one good tern deserves another

Wowbagger

  • Stout dipper
    • Stuff mostly about weather
Re: Help to identify white bird diving into canal
« Reply #8 on: 28 June, 2011, 10:01:26 pm »
You're just pouring petrel on the flames now.
Quote from: Dez
It doesn’t matter where you start. Just start.

rogerzilla

  • When n+1 gets out of hand
Re: Help to identify white bird diving into canal
« Reply #9 on: 29 June, 2011, 07:51:25 pm »
When this thread be gannet was bad.  Now it's worse.
Hard work sometimes pays off in the end, but laziness ALWAYS pays off NOW.