Wednesday, June 22, 2016 SEVEN Caspian Terns

Seward, Alaska

Hearing and seeing two CASPIAN on June 18th was special. They are not common or usual for Seward, and one never knows when, where, or how long they might stay. So when I heard a harsh, high-low, “eeee-yaaaah” today, I knew at least one was still around. 

Then I heard an answering pterodactyl cry and knew there were still two.  I looked for the pair, and instead found three, then five, and finally seven! Their arrival set a new record for Seward.

All seven eventually settled down in rows at the edge of the incoming tide.

Their arrangement reminded me of real life arithmetic: 1+2+4=7. The tide tickled their toes rearranging the pattern to 3+2+2=7. Another lapping wave and a few flew to join the drier site: 4+3=7. More wavelets and two gave up and flew off: 7-2=5. Finally all lifted up complaining, and scattered: 5-5=0.

It’s fun to have that many Caspian Terns to play number games, however simple.

Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold

Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter





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