Forster’s Tern at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin on September 28, 2015

I did some birding on the Milwaukee lakefront early this morning and some of the places hit were the Magic Hedge, Bradford and McKinley Beaches, Veterans and Lakeshore State Park, for the most part it was very slow. Yellow-rumped Warblers  were at most locations. The highlight was a Forster’s Tern, juvenile at Bradford Beach on my 3rd stop there this morning.  This little bird among many larger Ring-billed Gulls was present at waters edge. Birds change on the beach often with many walkers of all sorts. It moved around the beach and out of sight for periods of time too. It dived times for food and did catch some fish and often was harassed by Ring-billed Gulls on and off the beach. I saw many chases far out over the water. Sometimes the Ring-billed Gulls let it rest too. It was overcast with mild temps, light winds from the east while I was there this morning. Images were taken on September 28, 2015.

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Forster’s Tern

Binomial name: Sterna forsteri

Category: Gulls Tern, and Skimmers

Size: 13” long, 31” wing span

Weight: 6.0 oz

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Ring-billed Gull harassing

Ring-billed Gull harassing

Ring-billed Gull harassing

Ring-billed Gull harassing

Ring-billed Gull harassing

Ring-billed Gull harassing

Size comparison image with Ring-billed Gull left, Forster's Tern right

Size comparison image with Ring-billed Gull left, Forster’s Tern right

Ring-billed Gull chasing the Forster's Tern

Ring-billed Gull chasing the Forster’s Tern with fish

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Forster’s Tern with fish

Ring-billed Gull chasing the Forster's Tern

Ring-billed Gull chasing the Forster’s Tern

Forster's Tern making a dive for a fish

Forster’s Tern making a dive for a fish

Forster's Tern making a dive for a fish

Forster’s Tern making a dive for a fish

A ring-billed Gull right there after the Forster's Tern tries for food

A Ring-billed Gull right there after the Forster’s Tern tries for a fish

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Before the dive for a fish

Before the dive for a fish

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About admin

Window to Wildlife features the photography of Jim Edlhuber. A lifelong native of Wisconsin, Jim has been photographing wildlife for 20 years. He considers himself an avid photographer and is always trying to capture nature and wildlife through his lens. He is in several photography clubs and has won numerous awards for his work. In recent years, Jim has focused mostly on birding photography and finds it to be the most challenging.

4 Responses to Forster’s Tern at Bradford Beach in Milwaukee Wisconsin on September 28, 2015

  1. Nan Wisherd says:

    “The Adventures of a Forster’s Tern.” Very nice, Jim!

  2. Ed says:

    Great pics. Thanks for posting. Especially liked the harassment photos.

  3. Laura says:

    Very interesting to see it with the Ring-bills for a comparison. I’ve only ever seen the Forster’s at Horicon Marsh before. Thanks for sharing your pictures with us.

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