Larus canus is known as Common Gull in the UK, but is the same species as in the U.S. (different sub-species). There were 30 or more at this location. I'll post a few shots eventually. Image 1 shows one swimming to the right. Our last day in the UK; we head home tomorrow morning. Another dark and gray and drizzly day for the most part, but we spent a very nice morning and early afternoon at the London Wetlands Centre which is a really great area for water birds, etc. We met up with several very nice British birders who kindly shared their time and knowledge with us. Conditions were very dark so all my images were at 3200 ISO or 6400 ISOâ¦almost like dark twilight all day. At times it was so dark the autofocus on the camera was virtually not operable. On some images, especially small and active passerines, the images are extremely poor both in focus and slow shutter speeds, but did the best I could under the circumstances.
Least Tern, Sternula antillarum, is a common tern in Texas. In recent years, it was noticed that several individuals are nesting at University Beach, on Ward Island, Corpus Christi Bay in the early summer. A portion of the beach was closed to protect the nests.This little bird protects its nest fiercely, and will dive bomb anyone who comes near the nesting area (even far away). See more about this species at the Biodiversity of the Gulf of Mexico (BioGoMx) database at: http://gulfbase.org/biogomx/biospecies.php?species=Spp-77-0231