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| Black-Naped Tern - Sterna sumatrana |
A couple of days ago (16th July 2018), I got the ferry from Ma Liu Shui to Wong Shek Pier in Sai Kung.
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| Tap Mun Island |
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| Tap Mun Island |
It’s a four-hour round trip in the sheltered waters of Tolo Harbour. The boat calls at the western side of Tap Mun Island. On the seaward side, on rocky islets in Mirs Bay, three species of tern - Bridled, Black-naped and Roseate breed.
The tern numbers are monitored on a monthly basis by AFCD and HKBWS, and breeding success or otherwise noted. Typhoons are a big natural hazard, and made-made ones can include disturbance on the islets by fishermen or inconsiderate day-trippers.
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| Roseate Tern - Sterna dougallii |
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| Roseate Tern - Sterna dougallii |
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| Roseate Tern - Sterna dougallii |
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| Roseate Tern - Sterna dougallii |
The terns hunt in the comparatively sheltered waters the ferry passes through, and are attracted to the boat because the propellers - when the ferry is under way - can disturb small fish.
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| In the wake |
I only got two species of tern close enough to photograph, but it was good fun.
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| Black-Naped Tern - Sterna sumatrana |
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| Black-Naped Tern - Sterna sumatrana |
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| Black-Naped Tern - Sterna sumatrana |
When a sprat is caught the tern zips back low over the water towards its' nest site, a couple of kilometres away.
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| Black-Naped Tern - Sterna sumatrana |
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| Black-Naped Tern - Sterna sumatrana |
Leg flagging is a new part of the monitoring effort this summer.
The Black-naped Tern is exceptionally handsome. I wonder if the propellers of the ferry also stun and/or kill some of the small fish making them easy captures for the terms.
ReplyDeleteYou're right David, I'm sure some of the fish caught by the terns have been stunned by the propellers...
ReplyDeleteGreat tern shots: I'm envious...........
ReplyDeleteThanks, Stu. - there is not much else going on here at the moment !
DeleteGreat stuff John, haven't gone to Tap Mun yet this summer...a trip should be planned!
ReplyDeleteThanks Matt -
Delete- not much planning required if you're only taking the public ferry, of course.