Arctic Tern
The Arctic Tern is famous for its migration; it flies from its Arctic breeding grounds to the Antarctic and back again each year. This 19,000 km (12,000 miles) journey each way ensures that this bird sees two summers per year and more daylight than any other creature on the planet. One example of this bird's remarkable long-distance flying abilities involves an Arctic Tern ringed as an unfledged chick on the Farne Islands, Northumberland, UK, in the northern summer of 1982, which reached Melbourne, Australia, in October 1982, a sea journey of over 22,000 km (14,000 miles) in just three months from fledging. This is by far the longest regular migration by any known animal.
The Arctic Tern flies as well as glides through the air, performing almost all of its tasks in the air.
The average Arctic Tern lives about twenty years, and will travel about 2.4 million km (1.5 million miles). Breeding begins around the third or fourth year and they mate for life, and in most cases, return to the same colony each year.
Sorry my video of Arctic Terns would not go in this space so you can see it at the very bottom of this post.
Fulmars look superficially like gulls, but are unrelated, and are in fact petrels. The northern species is grey and white with a yellow bill, 43–52 cm (17–20 in) in length with a 102–112 cm (40–44 in) wingspan. They lay a single white egg and laid their eggs on the bare rock or in shallow depressions lined with plant material. They have a stiff wing action quite unlike the gulls. They look bull-necked compared to gulls, and have short stubby bills. They are long-lived, with a lifespan of 40 years not uncommon.
All the videos in this post were taken and edited by myself. You can find this one at http://youtu.be/rLT9MbjGO_Q
Below is the Arctic Tern video.
Thank you for visiting my blog. Please look in tomorrow as I will have the next installment to show you.
the fulmars have such unique bills! very stocky necks, too. the terns are very handsome. the 2nd shot is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHi Tex Yes, you don't want to get to near the Fulmars otherwise they squirt you with the fol smelling fish oil that you can NEVER get out of youor clothes! Thanks for commenting. Margaret
DeleteHi Margaret, everyone of these photos is exceptional! All the information appreciated. I wonder why do these lovely creatures have to travel these killing distances AND repeat it every year. Fascinating. I cannot access the videos, it is the fault of my ipad but will be watching them on our desk top, I look forward to seeing them. Thanks for sharing Copeland Island and its wonders.
ReplyDeleteHi Lynn well that is how the good Lord made them adn they seem to knnow what to do, when to travel adn keep finding their way back adn forth. I think it is wonderful. Hope you will enjoy both vidoes on your computer later. I was gooing to show ore but I had terrible trouble wiht is post, I had to put it on backwards!!! Not easy for someone like me that has NO sense of direction!! Thanks for comments. Margaret
ReplyDeleteSuper images of the Tern and the 'Tubenose'. I only get to see Arctic Tern on migration, if I'm lucky.
ReplyDeleteHI Frank Many thanks for your comments and I am glad you enjoyed see both Tern and Fulmar. Yes, I only see them when they come overin our summer also. Margaret
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post and beautiful photos, but I'll have to come back later when I have more time to view the videos. The Tern is a beautiful bird and it's amazing to think how far they fly! The Fulmar is a very handsome bird, too.
ReplyDeleteHi Cheryl Many thanks for viewing my blog and sending me your kind comments. I do hope you enjoy the video whe you have time to see it. Margaret
DeleteGreat shots by Stefan and the video are fantastic, as was your speech.
ReplyDeleteHi Bob Many thanks for the comments. Yes Stefan is a good photographer with a huge lens to get a lot closer than me. Glad you liked the video ad speech. Maragret
ReplyDeleteExcellent photos from both of you!
ReplyDeleteHi Mary Thanks you for your comment adn i am glad you enjoyed the photos of Stefan and myself. Margaret
ReplyDelete