PBC Gallery Arctic Tern Sterna arctica, Ferry Meadows Country Park, 15 April 2003 Video stills by Brian Stone

Although not the first in the area in 2003 (there were 2 at Welland Bank GP on 13 April), this bird arrived during a remarkable day in the Peterborough area, which saw, among other things, an unprecedented 9 Sandwich Terns also at Ferry Meadows. The rather dark bill on this bird caused some to question the identification but note how short the bill is. Also noted extremely short legs, deep grey wash on the underside, no contrast from mantle across all primaries and short wings, which fall well short of the tip of the long tail. Some stills of a nearby Common Tern (the larger pics) are shown for comparison.

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