Black Skimmers, Gull-Billed Tern at Hills Beach

[Gary Jarvis]

Saw two skimmers very early this morning (around 6:45) flying up from the north side of the Basket Island causeway and heading south.  They were rather vocal, but I didn't hear or see them again during the rest of the 2.5 hours I was there.

A little later I joined Leon M. on the causeway to scope out the gulls loafing toward the island end; he spotted a curious looking tern in their midst but it was far enough away (and facing the scope head-on) that a solid ID was difficult.  I had taken a few steps in that direction to get a closer look when it got up and flew west and out of sight; fortunately I was able to get a few photos as it passed over us.

Interestingly, Leon and I had both come down to look for the Royal Tern reported by Tom, Josh, Magill, etc. late yesterday.  We didn't see it at all, though the Gull-billed was a nice consolation prize.

My eBird checklist (with photos of both): https://ebird.org/view/checklist/S60187422

Gary Jarvis