Common Terns

As you may have seen in previous posts, I have been watching the Common Terns that have been nesting on the breakwaters in Preston Dock. The juveniles are now not far off fledging so I took the chance to nip down and get some last pictures of the youngsters and parents before they disappear back out to sea. They are now out of the tyres that had been put onto the breakwaters for them to nest in, and the youngsters are out on the breakwaters, stretching their wings and building up their energy levels for their forthcoming life at sea. They are now big enough to be safe from the many marauding gulls around the docks, but the parents still protect them, one always being around.

This parent was perched close by keeping an eye on the youngsters













The juveniles are now out of the nest on the breakwater, this one calling for food!!



Lots of wing stretching and exercising the flight muscles











The male, I think, brought a fish in that did look a bit big for the youngsters, but mum soon polished it off!





Below is a slideshow of all the images, that you can click the icon in the bottom right hand corner to get a full screen show.