We had three groups of Black Terns move through today, four found at lunchtime on the Thames before moving inland and east, followed by 20 an hour later which were joined by seven more. These also went inland and east up the Mardyke very high. The presence of two White-winged Blacks amongst them was suspected but the light was terrible over the river but better as they headed off into the blue. Thankfully Andy Tweed's pics do show one of the two White-winged Blacks present.
Dipping Black Terns...
White-winged Black Tern - Andy Tweed - you can see the white rump and tail, pale grey wings with a white leading edge and a dark wedge contrasting with the sooty black body.
A pity they did not linger or that we were able to pick them up sooner but it would seem that quite a few of both these eastern European breeders have moved through the country today.
21-5-18
Howard Vaughan, Information Officer