One Good Tern Deserves Another

A report of two Caspian Terns at the west end of Glenmore Reservoir on the Albertabird listserv interrupted my plans to celebrate Victoria Day lounging on the couch, listening to music and drinking beer. Assembling my birding gear I was soon on the now routine journey to the reservoir. Though a slightly longer ride, I chose to cycle first to North Glenmore Park where several viewpoints overlook the reservoir. In anticipation of June rains and runoff from the mountains, water levels have been slowly dropping in the reservoir, exposing extensive mudflats at the west end.

Arriving at the westernmost viewpoint in the late afternoon I soon was scanning the reservoir for the terns. Franklin's Gulls continue to stage in large numbers and I noted that a male Eurasian Wigeon was still present. I caught a glimpse of a distant tern on the opposite side of the reservoir flying away from me; the bird eventually banked, allowing me to study the wing pattern and identify it as a Common Tern - a species new for the BIGBY. A few minutes later a Black Tern flew east over the reservoir heading towards the Calgary Sailing Club on the south side of the reservoir.

Returning my focus to the mudflats, I finally picked out the two Caspian Terns in amongst a flock of Franklin's Gulls with my binoculars. Directing my scope onto the terns, I was soon enjoying decent, if distant, views of the birds as they bathed and preened. Wanting closer looks of the terns, I cycled over to the south side of the reservoir where I was able to study their plumage and behaviour in more detail. Satisfied with three tern species, I was soon cycling towards home and my resumption of celebrating Queen Victoria's birthday!