Artic Tern? Roseate Tern?

MB Lacey wrote: »

Again, posted some pics on my blog of Terns I saw in Dunlaoghaire today - I know the Sandwich Tern - but unsure of these - any help much appreciated.
Is this an Artic Tern? All red bill?




Is this a Common Tern? Black top at end of Bill.



Is this a juv Common Tern?



Is this a Roseate Tern below- all black bill?




Again, many thanks :rolleyes:

For full blog post click here

First one looks like artic tern, bill all red. Bird in very bright light so it's bleaching out darker gray of artic. Tail streamers look a bit short for artic though But overall looks like artic.

Second one common tern

Third juv common tern: dark secondary bar (IMO)best id point to separate from artic, no scaly pattern on upperparts eliminates roseate.

Fourth sandwich tern, too "chunky" for roseate. also sandwich huge when compared to other three artic, roseate, common. Young sandwich has dark tip to bill (this could be one unless camera didn't pick up pale tip).

Separating common/artic is difficult in flight, easier when there on ground (difference in leg length and tail streamer length and in good light grayer colour of artic). Separating Forster's tern from common is another story!!!!,