Terns are welcome spring sight at North Shores

An interesting spring-time visitor to the Niagara Shores is the Caspian tern (Hydroprogne caspia).

Described as “widespread but typically uncommon,” it’s great that they show up in our neighbourhood for a period of time. In the Great Lakes region they live for an estimated average of 12 years, but one was banded in Michigan in 1986 and  was found again in 2018 — 32 years old.

My observations are that they seem to live out on Lake Ontario but do foraging runs over Four Mile Pond. They are fast fliers and difficult to photograph.

I attempted to grab a photo as they flew over the pond and dove for fish living there. There happens to be a lot of carp, but other species of fish probably live there too. The terns hover over the pond, spotting a fish in the shallow water and diving quickly.

If they are successful they fly back out into the lake, before returning for more.

If not successful they will continue to circle the pond and make repeated dives until they get their prize.

Definitely another rewarding sight at Niagara Shores Park in the spring.