Forster’s Tern

A scan of topics treated here reveals an interest in the overlooked ordinary.

Today’s posting about Forster’s Tern does not fit this pattern. Not only is this bird found at only one location around Kootenay Lake, but it is the only place in British Columbia where the bird is known to breed. Not surprisingly, it is red listed, meaning, in danger of extirpation.

Terns are somewhat like gulls, but are more slender, have longer bills, and narrower wings. They also have forked tails, but perhaps a more important distinction is their hunting style. Like an osprey, but unlike a gull, they plunge dive into the water to capture a fish — albeit a somewhat smaller fish than those favoured by an osprey. 

A Forster’s Tern was hunting over the wetlands south of the Main Lake.

Not every dive into the water resulted in a catch. Here the tern lifts off without a fish.

However, after another plunge into the water, it flew off with a meal.

My favourite view shows it rising from the water with its wings and tail spread.