It's been a long, almost 4-month break since I last set foot on the boat, and on this trip, I was hoping for some early Pomarine Jaeger action.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHE9vJ2q-Co5qlfKoyjeVooaNVf_xzNlnaZNKmIrhuY82J6uyxAYSu7hJe3YWNozeI26P8-i2q8CmOhuDq4ob-QVuRnKGwhG03SvQrmUXhyphenhyphenNEmlQj5ue-FQOn-aWiQUUP9MgIFQ/s400/White-bellied+Sea-eagle_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_1956.jpg)
On the way out of the river, we passed this White-bellied Sea-eagle. As I watched, it swooped down and picked up this sea-snake.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ye0lAgczMHvUw2yICH0LbaS_dEAJ0Z9sy14-b4cAttWIsWF4dUddBvdnjAL4zUkPLJmY2nJUEHEPnLwunxpFWXGRZPuhFEbU-JIrvVzhN3r80ycVAz0nzvRqkExbpdwe1mO-Ew/s400/White-bellied+Sea-eagle_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_1959.jpg)
I think it was a Banded Sea-snake - extremely venomous, but with little defence against the scaled and feathered talons of a Sea-eagle.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSXR75UoNc-tJKCr3PeyHep1_w4-jJFE63MlHfRcvWF68PSu7U15_kJlJB0TfTQpJOfP3KDwnXuoNr3p4xi5VptJ1RAbaynbK-1IhaAwhKIb2norHqoy1es3JZlZrqE4Gje7ePw/s400/White-bellied+Sea-eagle_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_1970.jpg)
The eagle seemed in no hurry to consume its catch, so I wasn't able to see the conclusion of this encounter.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqlidgEw7cKoxLUZWp7SYVnjAFutxOJNMugxeJnSr1gGA2gcv8UWcw0Tz9MNzKD5Coa2QxOb0yXmXhMuRytqON5HJ4cf9F1_3CPmibhXHfbf_Go4LSl2klQgYvQKI-wN6Y-LScg/s400/White-winged+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2594.jpg)
Quantity, rather than quality, was the order of the day. Commonest of all were White-winged Terns - I estimated at least 4,000 birds, and things got pretty congested when the net went out!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gCycgkiesK1TtdPGo_p0UF_ZRt8LXkbeNa6MIXkXWAh8Lez6f-Bxme_tXQwTJQgkx-nxpA0rBujjHOSQURSKNTKMwI0-nxNmXLNKrx5aHIx9Mj0_3byBzn2ik8PoEP79Mdlm0w/s400/White-winged+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2524.jpg)
This reminds me of trying to find a parking spot in Penang!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBjpcBVBmPzrL95RNZaXs65VWHEFtKgMzwSzAIHNb0mFbvgrWDwoG5tefdTeCt4fn6zKO1-fcleEQ40WO0RQfbIo9h14tqkFTRmPkeHd3L_W_Esnvzah5A5SL-sFX0PbX3PpWXoQ/s400/White-winged+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2561.jpg)
At times, they would soar up high - most un-ternlike.
And at others, they would fly by all friendly-like, which was just what I wanted!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNBcoO4uwB9PummgTR8aek3nZNSBQzrHp0N3z8lhFoVSjex2EUf6EAnYpswvn5rLkypsOI8BQUzrmw1Fer2rKQvPlVkSR8pmTcRDGRMeB4BuJJdd75-RxG8MwRfmTmrKQn9bPQA/s400/White-winged+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2280.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVMGA2rTPBgOfewX2QtA2_ji9MvOVeFeEJa-Hu6QAi6FZ6zE4HAla0b4BUEco_CnuBHdh164yBJW8suK47gnS4O3aFQ8KH3-pMmA_7H6Q16j9hb59QQ1eKplBZtmNRFhrTOmX1g/s400/White-winged+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2494.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEIXPzT_Lzn4_C8hJt8eSM4eblV_xc2GcmSZQph3-l8ezX3j39y3wAMh9bSaJMdzBzKbm6QQSRhWdSp8s34Q5l_-NGaPafSF4bQtZoY3YCawkl5xucIVVIZivAWLUwSW8maJ_FA/s400/White-winged+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2668.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePUIu5s6TcINg3m60JUVvFeYguiEoW2oK5IIX7IVwt9ylIr6n9Ngf-QKSNzQGHJelUqO3PdNLRljhUdq_A1RdB_EmsgZQTnSa2lvhfplC5f2h7R1ObXrfHIPQVaHavFgtbqDpsQ/s400/White-winged+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2713.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZq5FX70MjpSh8ubkKH-TJm3zTex1gV7bxgTBaDHrS8sCEMxZx8ngU0Wdo0KKI0dTEXzYTn8emB0JyZlCStKmjLWEpWKopdtl49XDQ1lUdS8gU0im99O444uKllo1y7hu4dDEEgw/s400/White-winged+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2816.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJDOYWHNLzpcL1zwsWLkOXK-XZ986hChvyWZGhlU36Bm0x3sZ3427CUxzOkB-PmYh5B_4E1ggHD7D0Kl6qxqOHA2uwog8lZxQbfgbG4B88Kg-lcen4_2CkgvFWFFO38rhcNPndg/s400/White-winged+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2822.jpg)
These are in chronological order, so they give a snapshot of what the lighting was like between 11am (the first photo) and 5.30pm (the last).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMY71XmA_vGAMBPyfbiEzWIo61vffX7Yru2U_FenZTjXwuQv25bJLmxdymoUY95XbGBnsiPEuUpTNFVgvHsTjxaj0W6ayfTg2sB0FT3KWqNDADLk6KETnbamNaZNySf1v-FxI5Ng/s400/Common+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2555.jpg)
Spot the odd one out! You should be able to find a Little Tern in amongst this flock of Commons.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyEitnz2HJtKnXBlM7GHe0E9sDbHp0Mz24_aSLxSqMSS99Qx6ByECOpueFoxdlMf47khxUeep21bQSdOUsdgbTbbWmjV_JjM0IaJ558CwCrpVGvccchRWWphm9m0HmVGXi79xKRg/s400/Common+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2003.jpg)
A first year Common Tern minus tail streamers.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOsMVZ70bdWd-_vo2EACL6eZ1XJAKTCAFFQyhSOLP8ydc0FsmU6wbRngxw1QEoIN87qnxnbyrA75E77zPv6iPMrDjJX5mm2zxsq2TPFi9x2ibbwEY_cjkRjB8om06kxljI8RjNmQ/s400/Little+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2072.jpg)
Note the very much narrower wings of this (similarly-aged) Little Tern. This helps explain why Little Terns flap very rapidly, almost like bats, while Common Terns have a much slower, more relaxed wing action.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsgYKyII_k1M4adY69p26y-T_B5fv-XTuBHRsZ3JRleKOy2ph5Tu7tDqpH041xGt5pmyIb5mTRyASZz7HUuvahJpJSq9bSl6NO2ut30sJIaG_jkVOnd65_VedABM35H15_icpfg/s400/Little+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2039.jpg)
This adult Little Tern was one of about 50 present.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-VUzDCVb9Yy2G7dl82DagiZw6_UQQdU9wivfrDdCcj7un1-qyVv6IExAAXIKuZRoxp1zfcjFsDW35AkGQQz7ilAZUNQifhdIcUwgroKhtIuwotSMNuowQ0sCb_ykdFzSY1rLc_w/s400/Common+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2239.jpg)
There were about 2,000 Common Terns, but I've already taken more than enough pics of these on other trips, so I restrained myself (ish!).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHmzm0obsI9zU77qN4svqh-yVy3gyxx-g45tRmj3AzHqotwkmJ9Lutb9FJ747N2aP7o6lnRUwLLc4uz_mOlYqkTfCNo6AIGNB33zB_eN7tr_JZ45GFhwOVuRnK0MF1vElQ9MfCw/s400/Common+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2538.jpg)
Very few were in breeding plumage yet (or maybe breeders have mostly already left?). Common Terns, for all their 'commonness' are stunningly graceful, well-proportioned birds!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpi6nGo2ynKK4XrM0t1VE-kX93T7V_UC6ROeGpOl894wuEzmKTzlHQKM8Syfrl-k7EoQLUkhlpnBQFA5faHfVFYucybz_9o0lXbgHR0tn_MwPmsuClTAi2UWWFW1Q5vOa4nTVGg/s400/Common+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2802.jpg)
Perhaps a second year bird.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgneEyslSoXz_UJtnhcaBkEUWjsOKTUW05T9K6cRaK14DmiAscIYn0aP61Py0HobgWxaRQdfs22b7SXOiW_DvGvgYD146i-X6YIo7qD8KRdCKOHC1nj_d1AJOouSNl0RcxqgWFw/s400/Common+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2412.jpg)
More in-flight entertainment!
Surprisingly perhaps, no Poms today, but I was not entirely disappointed...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuygOnY9D1jghGoiu95T47HYitqSAfNfMjjYLZYPHgbaAE2xAZZqoIEcJlbJzysyr6FBjHauepoEALvKZXrpyP3ElHx2sHx7GuR6o5HhAucdHaw5mnwqwJzbbu5Bp-b7KB2Yd16w/s400/Long-tailed+Jaeger_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2294.jpg)
This graceful adult Long-tailed Jaeger gave a brief fly-by.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCXy8aEAiuzHPSFio0fGNBKUE92arp1DPiFElrm_naM8FvbgYoYujNkC7V4pQg8IcKibvD7CES3EwTWUm2Br-Z4mlDOhA9YpaHkNlouYl1ljdpyBDy87c7uZ1TMwkjSq0PKuRXA/s400/Long-tailed+Jaeger_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2312.jpg)
It was a bit lacking in the tail streamer department - early days still.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQfjTKSvOdXi9atF8g_zD7kQGjk9Oq9EHOMd8q7iJvZAnKzXX0uHYkr1gdiXt49AAUXGLLbz8KXdCZTX70EUb2TFUzEihJYnE-vRyht_oJo0ChnFKEkWmDBFa_mnsmkMk_BpFCA/s400/Sooty+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2599.jpg)
And a juv Sooty Tern eventually gave reasonably close views, having spent some time harassing the other terns jaeger-style, at a distance.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZipEn973B3WkZrDudzbWQzQe0XZMjv5D5AaA_66oe_aoJI9jkg5UcadNTpVXVU063GE5bhjNV482PkF_SOLh8VhBolAo0wMZqvlPovztoNjVNM6kar_0KW8qjb-Np6-KMEFSjDg/s400/Sooty+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2602.jpg)
It's interesting to note that it's already in primary moult. This is a distinguishing feature of young Sooty Terns - their first post-juvenile moult is a full one, whereas Bridled only has a post-juv body moult, and doesn't start to renew its wing and tail feathers till its second moult, when it's approximately a year old.
Incidentally, there were only about 3 Bridled Terns today - it's still early for them, and for the jaegers. I expect in a couple of weeks it will be a different story!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHE9vJ2q-Co5qlfKoyjeVooaNVf_xzNlnaZNKmIrhuY82J6uyxAYSu7hJe3YWNozeI26P8-i2q8CmOhuDq4ob-QVuRnKGwhG03SvQrmUXhyphenhyphenNEmlQj5ue-FQOn-aWiQUUP9MgIFQ/s400/White-bellied+Sea-eagle_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_1956.jpg)
On the way out of the river, we passed this White-bellied Sea-eagle. As I watched, it swooped down and picked up this sea-snake.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ye0lAgczMHvUw2yICH0LbaS_dEAJ0Z9sy14-b4cAttWIsWF4dUddBvdnjAL4zUkPLJmY2nJUEHEPnLwunxpFWXGRZPuhFEbU-JIrvVzhN3r80ycVAz0nzvRqkExbpdwe1mO-Ew/s400/White-bellied+Sea-eagle_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_1959.jpg)
I think it was a Banded Sea-snake - extremely venomous, but with little defence against the scaled and feathered talons of a Sea-eagle.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSXR75UoNc-tJKCr3PeyHep1_w4-jJFE63MlHfRcvWF68PSu7U15_kJlJB0TfTQpJOfP3KDwnXuoNr3p4xi5VptJ1RAbaynbK-1IhaAwhKIb2norHqoy1es3JZlZrqE4Gje7ePw/s400/White-bellied+Sea-eagle_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_1970.jpg)
The eagle seemed in no hurry to consume its catch, so I wasn't able to see the conclusion of this encounter.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqlidgEw7cKoxLUZWp7SYVnjAFutxOJNMugxeJnSr1gGA2gcv8UWcw0Tz9MNzKD5Coa2QxOb0yXmXhMuRytqON5HJ4cf9F1_3CPmibhXHfbf_Go4LSl2klQgYvQKI-wN6Y-LScg/s400/White-winged+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2594.jpg)
Quantity, rather than quality, was the order of the day. Commonest of all were White-winged Terns - I estimated at least 4,000 birds, and things got pretty congested when the net went out!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gCycgkiesK1TtdPGo_p0UF_ZRt8LXkbeNa6MIXkXWAh8Lez6f-Bxme_tXQwTJQgkx-nxpA0rBujjHOSQURSKNTKMwI0-nxNmXLNKrx5aHIx9Mj0_3byBzn2ik8PoEP79Mdlm0w/s400/White-winged+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2524.jpg)
This reminds me of trying to find a parking spot in Penang!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBjpcBVBmPzrL95RNZaXs65VWHEFtKgMzwSzAIHNb0mFbvgrWDwoG5tefdTeCt4fn6zKO1-fcleEQ40WO0RQfbIo9h14tqkFTRmPkeHd3L_W_Esnvzah5A5SL-sFX0PbX3PpWXoQ/s400/White-winged+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2561.jpg)
At times, they would soar up high - most un-ternlike.
And at others, they would fly by all friendly-like, which was just what I wanted!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNBcoO4uwB9PummgTR8aek3nZNSBQzrHp0N3z8lhFoVSjex2EUf6EAnYpswvn5rLkypsOI8BQUzrmw1Fer2rKQvPlVkSR8pmTcRDGRMeB4BuJJdd75-RxG8MwRfmTmrKQn9bPQA/s400/White-winged+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2280.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVMGA2rTPBgOfewX2QtA2_ji9MvOVeFeEJa-Hu6QAi6FZ6zE4HAla0b4BUEco_CnuBHdh164yBJW8suK47gnS4O3aFQ8KH3-pMmA_7H6Q16j9hb59QQ1eKplBZtmNRFhrTOmX1g/s400/White-winged+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2494.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEIXPzT_Lzn4_C8hJt8eSM4eblV_xc2GcmSZQph3-l8ezX3j39y3wAMh9bSaJMdzBzKbm6QQSRhWdSp8s34Q5l_-NGaPafSF4bQtZoY3YCawkl5xucIVVIZivAWLUwSW8maJ_FA/s400/White-winged+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2668.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePUIu5s6TcINg3m60JUVvFeYguiEoW2oK5IIX7IVwt9ylIr6n9Ngf-QKSNzQGHJelUqO3PdNLRljhUdq_A1RdB_EmsgZQTnSa2lvhfplC5f2h7R1ObXrfHIPQVaHavFgtbqDpsQ/s400/White-winged+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2713.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZq5FX70MjpSh8ubkKH-TJm3zTex1gV7bxgTBaDHrS8sCEMxZx8ngU0Wdo0KKI0dTEXzYTn8emB0JyZlCStKmjLWEpWKopdtl49XDQ1lUdS8gU0im99O444uKllo1y7hu4dDEEgw/s400/White-winged+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2816.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJDOYWHNLzpcL1zwsWLkOXK-XZ986hChvyWZGhlU36Bm0x3sZ3427CUxzOkB-PmYh5B_4E1ggHD7D0Kl6qxqOHA2uwog8lZxQbfgbG4B88Kg-lcen4_2CkgvFWFFO38rhcNPndg/s400/White-winged+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2822.jpg)
These are in chronological order, so they give a snapshot of what the lighting was like between 11am (the first photo) and 5.30pm (the last).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMY71XmA_vGAMBPyfbiEzWIo61vffX7Yru2U_FenZTjXwuQv25bJLmxdymoUY95XbGBnsiPEuUpTNFVgvHsTjxaj0W6ayfTg2sB0FT3KWqNDADLk6KETnbamNaZNySf1v-FxI5Ng/s400/Common+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2555.jpg)
Spot the odd one out! You should be able to find a Little Tern in amongst this flock of Commons.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyEitnz2HJtKnXBlM7GHe0E9sDbHp0Mz24_aSLxSqMSS99Qx6ByECOpueFoxdlMf47khxUeep21bQSdOUsdgbTbbWmjV_JjM0IaJ558CwCrpVGvccchRWWphm9m0HmVGXi79xKRg/s400/Common+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2003.jpg)
A first year Common Tern minus tail streamers.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOsMVZ70bdWd-_vo2EACL6eZ1XJAKTCAFFQyhSOLP8ydc0FsmU6wbRngxw1QEoIN87qnxnbyrA75E77zPv6iPMrDjJX5mm2zxsq2TPFi9x2ibbwEY_cjkRjB8om06kxljI8RjNmQ/s400/Little+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2072.jpg)
Note the very much narrower wings of this (similarly-aged) Little Tern. This helps explain why Little Terns flap very rapidly, almost like bats, while Common Terns have a much slower, more relaxed wing action.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsgYKyII_k1M4adY69p26y-T_B5fv-XTuBHRsZ3JRleKOy2ph5Tu7tDqpH041xGt5pmyIb5mTRyASZz7HUuvahJpJSq9bSl6NO2ut30sJIaG_jkVOnd65_VedABM35H15_icpfg/s400/Little+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2039.jpg)
This adult Little Tern was one of about 50 present.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-VUzDCVb9Yy2G7dl82DagiZw6_UQQdU9wivfrDdCcj7un1-qyVv6IExAAXIKuZRoxp1zfcjFsDW35AkGQQz7ilAZUNQifhdIcUwgroKhtIuwotSMNuowQ0sCb_ykdFzSY1rLc_w/s400/Common+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2239.jpg)
There were about 2,000 Common Terns, but I've already taken more than enough pics of these on other trips, so I restrained myself (ish!).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOHmzm0obsI9zU77qN4svqh-yVy3gyxx-g45tRmj3AzHqotwkmJ9Lutb9FJ747N2aP7o6lnRUwLLc4uz_mOlYqkTfCNo6AIGNB33zB_eN7tr_JZ45GFhwOVuRnK0MF1vElQ9MfCw/s400/Common+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2538.jpg)
Very few were in breeding plumage yet (or maybe breeders have mostly already left?). Common Terns, for all their 'commonness' are stunningly graceful, well-proportioned birds!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpi6nGo2ynKK4XrM0t1VE-kX93T7V_UC6ROeGpOl894wuEzmKTzlHQKM8Syfrl-k7EoQLUkhlpnBQFA5faHfVFYucybz_9o0lXbgHR0tn_MwPmsuClTAi2UWWFW1Q5vOa4nTVGg/s400/Common+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2802.jpg)
Perhaps a second year bird.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgneEyslSoXz_UJtnhcaBkEUWjsOKTUW05T9K6cRaK14DmiAscIYn0aP61Py0HobgWxaRQdfs22b7SXOiW_DvGvgYD146i-X6YIo7qD8KRdCKOHC1nj_d1AJOouSNl0RcxqgWFw/s400/Common+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2412.jpg)
More in-flight entertainment!
Surprisingly perhaps, no Poms today, but I was not entirely disappointed...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuygOnY9D1jghGoiu95T47HYitqSAfNfMjjYLZYPHgbaAE2xAZZqoIEcJlbJzysyr6FBjHauepoEALvKZXrpyP3ElHx2sHx7GuR6o5HhAucdHaw5mnwqwJzbbu5Bp-b7KB2Yd16w/s400/Long-tailed+Jaeger_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2294.jpg)
This graceful adult Long-tailed Jaeger gave a brief fly-by.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCXy8aEAiuzHPSFio0fGNBKUE92arp1DPiFElrm_naM8FvbgYoYujNkC7V4pQg8IcKibvD7CES3EwTWUm2Br-Z4mlDOhA9YpaHkNlouYl1ljdpyBDy87c7uZ1TMwkjSq0PKuRXA/s400/Long-tailed+Jaeger_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2312.jpg)
It was a bit lacking in the tail streamer department - early days still.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQfjTKSvOdXi9atF8g_zD7kQGjk9Oq9EHOMd8q7iJvZAnKzXX0uHYkr1gdiXt49AAUXGLLbz8KXdCZTX70EUb2TFUzEihJYnE-vRyht_oJo0ChnFKEkWmDBFa_mnsmkMk_BpFCA/s400/Sooty+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2599.jpg)
And a juv Sooty Tern eventually gave reasonably close views, having spent some time harassing the other terns jaeger-style, at a distance.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZipEn973B3WkZrDudzbWQzQe0XZMjv5D5AaA_66oe_aoJI9jkg5UcadNTpVXVU063GE5bhjNV482PkF_SOLh8VhBolAo0wMZqvlPovztoNjVNM6kar_0KW8qjb-Np6-KMEFSjDg/s400/Sooty+Tern_Tanjung+Dawai_070312_IMG_2602.jpg)
It's interesting to note that it's already in primary moult. This is a distinguishing feature of young Sooty Terns - their first post-juvenile moult is a full one, whereas Bridled only has a post-juv body moult, and doesn't start to renew its wing and tail feathers till its second moult, when it's approximately a year old.
Incidentally, there were only about 3 Bridled Terns today - it's still early for them, and for the jaegers. I expect in a couple of weeks it will be a different story!
2 comments:
Cool shot of the WBSE with snake. You're referring to Laticauda colubrina right..they are actually a sea krait but some still call them banded sea snake. Some also call them yellow-lipped sea krait. They are are from different family than the usual sea snake.. Sorry to mumble a lot bout this serpent thingy..hehe..
Fab to see all the Terns.... some may be on their way here...
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