Albert Ross Revisited

Elegant Tern at Cemlyn Bay on Anglesey

I spent a very frustrating eight hours trying to photograph this rare bird yesterday due the light, the vegetation and distance it was away. Most of my photos are destined for the bin except for a few record shots like this one - the main problem being the very bright light during midday and afternoon (yes, I should have known better to get there early) coupled with the heat haze generated by the good weather. Conditions got a bit better as the day progressed and the sun moved round and my best shots were actually taken between 7 and 8pm when it became overcast. Still not great though.

On the other hand, it was a fabulous day with good weather in a stunning location. The shingle beach, the clear water and the noise of the terns all combined to make it very memorable. The Elegant Tern seemed to be displaying at times and was quite aggressive to the Sandwich Terns amongst which it was sitting. They have been known to mate with these birds abroad. 

Every now and then the whole colony (including Arctic, Common and Sandwich Terns as well as Black-headed Gulls and the odd Oystercatcher) would take to the air en masse making a truly spectacular scene. Usually this was the result of a Peregrine Falcon patrolling the air space and indeed I witnessed a Peregrine take small birds out of the air on two occasions.

There was also a regular flow of birds going out into the bay, catching sand eels and returning, flying right over your head as they did. Young birds gathered on the shingle along the shoreline, some being fed by parents, others being chased out to sea by them as they enouraged the to fly or catch fish. In the late evening, the youngster seems to gather in a large group along the water's edge and would periodically all fly out low over the sea together in a flock - magical!

If you've never been to Cemlyn Bay you should get there sometime - June and July are best for the Terns but its a fabulous place at any time. And there's still time yet this year!

Black-browed Albatross at Bempton Cliffs

After a two and half hour journey, I turned up at 2pm to find that this very rare bird, a Black-browed Albatross, had gone AWOL and immediately my heart dropped. But I was determined to stick it out and even stay overnight for another look tomorrow if necessary. 

Fortunately I didn't need to, but it was a very long wait - the bird wasn't seen until just after 7pm when it was spotted by birders with scopes way in the distance on the sea opposite the Flamborough headland. It was another hour or more before it finally made its way to roost at Staple Newk amongst the Gannet colony, by which time the decent light had almost completely gone.

But I was still very happy to see this remarkable and majestic seabird and get some shots of it. This particular bird has visited Bempton Cliffs several times in recent years but I'm told that this is the longest time it has stayed. And if it stays any longer, I may well have another shot at it - photographically of course!

LIFER !!!