Birding in British Columbia

A starting place for birding information for British Columbia, Canada. This web site features a birders discussion forum, links to birding newsgroups, articles and book reviews, checklists, regional hotspots, photo gallery, weather reports, and visiting birder information.
It is currently May 20 2:57 pm

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 3 posts ] 
Author Message
 Post subject: Caspian or Common?
PostPosted: May 27 2:40 pm 
Offline
Senior Member
User avatar

Joined: Feb 12 8:30 pm
Posts: 774
Location: Vancouver
Hi folks!

I saw a tern today at English Bay Beach and am wondering whether it was a Common or Caspian, if indeed it's even possible to tell this time of year. Unfortunately I only got a good enough look to narrow it down to those two species--it flew off really quickly after taking a plunge-dive. My Sibley's says that Commons come through during migration and that Caspian are resident in the summer, but I'm not sure whether it qualifies as summer yet. Does anybody know?

Thanks!

_________________
"Japanese scientists from Keio University have found that pigeons have self-cognitive abilities higher than 3-year-old humans. " (link)


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Caspian or Common?
PostPosted: May 27 5:18 pm 
Offline
Senior Member
User avatar

Joined: Mar 28 12:28 pm
Posts: 253
Location: Vancouver
I've seen lots of Caspians this year, but no common terns yet. Caspians arrive around early May and are common by June, starting to leave in September.
Common Terns come through around May, but don't stay. They come back down in August again and leave around the start of October.
I don't know which tern you saw, but I would guess Caspian. Most commons have probably headed north by now.

_________________
Else Mikkelsen
Vancouver, B.C.


Top
 Profile  
 
 Post subject: Re: Caspian or Common?
PostPosted: May 28 8:00 am 
Offline
Senior Member
User avatar

Joined: Feb 12 8:30 pm
Posts: 774
Location: Vancouver
Thanks so much for your response, Esle, I really appreciate it!

_________________
"Japanese scientists from Keio University have found that pigeons have self-cognitive abilities higher than 3-year-old humans. " (link)


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 3 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group