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In the northeastern U. S., wherever I roost, we’ve entered what birders at times refer to as the summer doldrums. Spring migration has wound down, and tumble migration hasn’t commenced but, so the thrilling glimpses of uncommon species traveling amongst their breeding and wintering grounds are couple and much amongst. And several of the birds that breed listed here are trying to keep a reduced profile though they acquire care of Critical Company back again at the nest. There are however marvelous issues to see. But often the behavior is not what it appears to be at 1st look, as I was just lately reminded.
I was walking on a beach front in the Midcoast region of Maine in the early evening, the sun even now dazzling in the summertime sky, when I spied two smaller terns at the water’s edge—Least Terns, which are endangered in Maine and imperiled throughout a great deal of their vary in North The usa. One particular was feeding the other very small fish. Based mostly on the habits, I figured they have to be mum or dad and newborn and stopped to admire them. But then I recognized they ended up equally in breeding plumage, with a white brow and a brilliant yellow bill and legs. The conduct I was observing wasn’t parental treatment it was courtship.
Glad that I had remembered to grab my binoculars and digital camera on my way out the doorway, I settled in to enjoy the birds. Here’s what I noticed:
The feminine stands on the beach front viewing the male as he forages for fish in the shallows. She phone calls consistently, I suppose to remind him of her whereabouts (and potentially to cheer him on).

The male flies up and down the shoreline, with his eyes on the drinking water under. When he spots a fish, he hovers overhead for a few wingbeats, then plunges beak-initial into the water to nab the unsuspecting prey. He surfaces, fish in beak, and flies back towards the feminine.

As he ways, there is a lot of enthusiastic squawking—it’s not just clear who’s making the ruckus, but the male has received a cherished parcel in his beak, and the female is about to receive it, so I’m guessing the appears are coming from her.

The male lands up coming to her and sites the slender, silvery fish in her beak.

When she gulps it down, he strikes a pose—chest out, long wings held significant.

And then he’s off all over again to get her a different a single and hopefully acquire her heart.

About the hour or so that I spent seeing them, the male brought the female much more than a dozen fish and didn’t look to consume any himself. Then the pair flew off into the sunset together—hopefully to make the upcoming era of Minimum Terns.
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