A non-breeding plumage forster’s tern gave me a huge surprise on this morning’s webs count at Morecambe. Initially picked up just offshore at Broadway at 9.02, it was constantly on the move making its way south just like the storm blown common and arctic terns tend to in autumn. Really great close views, probably only 50m away at first. I managed to follow it round to the lifeboat station and it then carried on past the Stone Jetty where I lost sight of it about 9.06. Driving round to the Battery took longer than I’d have liked so I didn’t manage to track it past there. Those watching at Heysham had distant views shortly afterwards of a tern that sadly was apparently just too far out to identify.
Thanks to Pete C for the research this is apparently the 3rd record in Lancashire and first in our Society’s recording area.
Also 326 Eider off Hest Bank
