One Good Tern at Filby

A before work look at Filby Broad in Norfolk this morning, 4 Blackcaps were heard singing very stridently as I walked towards the road bridge, 1 male was briefly seen. (I was working at Martham Library this morning and it is on the way!) It was a very satisfying visit as looking south from the bridge by the road, I could see several hirundines flying over the water, plus 3 Swifts flying over the water, my first of the year. The hirundines comprised around 10 Swallows, 2 House Martin and 1 Sand Martin.

A calling Common Sandpiper than revealed the bird flying right over the near edge of the broad near the road bridge.

On the tern platform something suddenly disturbed them all and around 20 Common Terns could be seen flying around plus an excellent Black Tern (my first for a couple of years) flying about. A good find and I was pleased to finally find a scarce bird for myself this Spring. The Black Tern flew around occasionally dipping the water as it fed. Also I saw a small gull flying about with black underwing and white trailing edge, and rounded paddle shaped wing tips which was obviously an excellent adult Little Gull. Another first for the year too.

I texted several people with the news and was glad to get a text from John H at 7.10pm in the evening stating that he and Peter C were watching the Black Tern.