MA - Common Tern, Gill - 04/27

My first outing to Barton Cove since returning from Texas produced a nice adult Common Tern, and a fine raft of 8 Buffleheads, both species being jostled around by a stiff NW wind. Hundreds of swallows were hawking over the water, most of them Tree Swallows but with some Barn Swallows mixed in. Three Double-crested Cormorants and a Great Black-backed Gull were resting just off the public boat ramp off Route 2. 


Elsewhere in Gill, three singing Louisiana Waterthrushes ( one at home, one behind Gill fire station and one off Barney Hale Road), and a Black-throated Green Warbler singing off Barney Hale Road too. 

Buffleheads - group of 8, Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co. MA. April 27th, 2012. 

Common Tern - Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co. MA. April 27th, 2012. Heavy crop from distant digi-scoped shot but note dark tipped bill and darker gray primaries when at rest. 

Common Tern - Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co. MA. April 27th, 2012. Heavy crop again but showing darker 'wedge' on outer primaries of left wing.