Date: 4/13/25 12:49 pm From: carib_boo via groups.io <betsyyvonne...> Subject: [SanDiegoRegionBirding] Black-billed, red/oranged-legged tern at San Elijo Lagoon
There’s an interesting small-ish tern perched on a floating bit of vegetation here (33.0111750, -117.2743206, slightly NE of the big flock of elegant terns) with a thin bill that appears completely black, white breast and light gray uppers, lighter red/orange legs, and a long beautiful tail. The only species that have all these traits would be way out of range so I assume it’s a Common or Forster’s mid color change between non-breeding and breeding plumages, but sharing in case any experts want to opine or take a look. Unfortunately, I don’t have my camera with me and the bird flew farther away to the south before someone with a camera walked by (still in view but too far for good pics).
Betsy Miller Vixie
Olivenhain
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