AMERICAN ROYAL TERN-LLIGWY BAY-ANGLESEY

Following the frustration of missing an American Royal Tern by approximately ten minutes at Church Norton, West Sussex, in June—having arrived just after it had flown—it was something of a surprise to learn that what appeared to be the same individual had been relocated on Anglesey, North Wales.

The bird showed a metal ring on its right leg and matched the long-staying individual first recorded in Guernsey on 5 February 2017, which had been positively identified as an American Royal Tern. After a few phone calls, arrangements were made to travel overnight in order to arrive on site at first light the following morning.

There was no sign of the bird at sunrise, prompting a search further along the coast. Shortly afterwards, news emerged that the tern had returned to Lligwy Beach and was showing well. On arrival, the bird was located sitting quietly on the incoming tide, allowing prolonged and unobstructed views

American Royal Tern

This constituted my second record of Royal Tern in Britain, the first being the individual at Llandudno, North Wales, in 2009, which at the time was considered to be of the West African (“African”) race. Subsequent DNA analysis has since resulted in West African birds being treated as a separate species. In light of this, it seems prudent to reserve judgment on the Anglesey bird pending any further clarification of its origin, should additional identification criteria become available.

Lligwy Bay

Nevertheless, an excellent record for the region, and another notable addition to the Northwest’s list.