A Caspian with chick, right photo, enjoy the sunshine of a northern island. The common tern eggs above left are seen in their natural setting, and compared to other eggs above. From left to right, Herring Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Caspian Tern and Common Tern. The Black Tern is a very beautiful bird with a deeply forked tail and darting, sweeping flight over marsh pond and lily pads. It became rare several decades ago, but is now making a comeback.
Winter plumage is quite distinct, being mostly white underneath.
The Black Tern eggs and young can be found tucked into the cattails and marsh reeds near the waters edge. They will be very good flyers within a few weeks of this age. The four shots above are all Ring-billed gulls at different ages. The most common gull on the Lake. Note the distinctive band across the adult's bill that give it its name.