There are 4 Sandwich Terns and 2 Common Terns on the pole. Between 0:10 and 0:48 the camera focuses on a single Common Tern (on the left) and a Sandwich Tern (on the right) to highlight the differences between the two species.
We're very pleased to hear it Rufus. Hope you like some of out other videos too and get an idea of the Wildlife we have on our reserve. If you have any requests or ideas for videos or any questions please get in touch. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment :)
Thanks again. Looks like a really interesting reserve. By the way, in my last comment, I meant Ross's has much more "white". Little Gull's upperwing pattern is marked with more dark towards the leading edge of the wing.
@prolarus Thank you. All the videos on this page are taken at RSPB Saltholme which is one of the newest reserves the society has, only opening in 2009. Feel free to have a look through our other videos to see get an idea about what you can see on the reserve and if you're on Facebook just type in Saltholme to find our page and get more information about the reserve and the day to day goings on.
Indeed, the apparent "wedge" of the central tail feathers is an illusion. Thanks for you response. I do agree that Littles show a darker head pattern/cap and the outer subterminal wedge on Ross's has much more black. Grant's black and white sketches demonstrate this much better than color photos. Cool video! Where was this recorded?
@prolarus If you pause the video at any point while the near bird is in flight you will see that the wedge tail is an illusion caused by the darker tips of the unmoulted outer tail feathers. Another feature to seperate them in flight are the all dark outer primaries of Little Gull with Ross's Gull having a similar pattern to Kittiwake with a white wedge nearly reaching the outer primary. At rest Little Gull's have a dark cap while Ross's Gull's are pale headed. Hope that helps.
@charlesbeams Hi Charles, All our videos are taken using a MinoFlip. We use two, one that is HD and one that isn't. We try to have all our RU-vid videos in HD but if we want something for the screens in the centre then we use the non-HD one.
@alcina35468 We are trying to make sure that we can get a viewpoint located on the path but sometimes they are off the beaten track. If you want to pop down give reception a call on 01642 546625 just before 11 and hopefully by then we will have found them and they can advise you on where they are. If they are away from the main routes then the ground isn't usually that rough but you will need boots because of the melting snow. Hope that makes sense and please call if you have an more questions.