Drama at the Docks

It had been a month since my last visit to the tern colony at Preston Docks.A month ago most of the terns were still sitting on eggs but things had really moved on. There were young birds flying around but mostly the young terns were still grounded and were exercising their small wings and would soon be airborne.A couple of birds were still sitting on eggs and other youngsters were in various stages of development.

As usual at the colony there was much going on and it was difficult knowing where to point the lens for the best of the action.One very sad event whilst I was there was to see one of the chicks taken by one of the large gulls present.It had somehow fallen off the pontoon into the water and despite frantic efforts from it's parent it didn't make it back and was carried off by the marauding gull.

I have shown above this sad event plus the usual shots of parents returning with food for the hungry youngsters.Another unpleasant sight was to see one of the adult birds viciously attacking a helpless chick.Why this happens I am not sure and it is certainly a tough life growing up in a tern colony. I hope you enjoy my images of the various dramas which happen on a daily basis at this thriving tern colony. Thanks for looking in and I will return soon with more from my travels.