Sunday 21 June 2009 - Do I not like ORANGE....billed Terns! - 20/06/09

AFRICAN ROYAL TERN dipped at Llandudno, Conwy

I was moping around a bird-less Alvecote Pools when I received a call from Pezza Perrins to say that a probable AFRICAN ROYAL TERN had been seen at the Welsh, Victorian seaside resort of Llandudno.  About 30 minutes later the report was confirmed and off we went, picking up hernia patient Jule Allens along the way.  Now Pezza in his wisdom decided to take the 'tractor and trailer' route up the A41 to Chester rather than the longer but faster motorway route up the M6 and along the A55.  As it happens we would not have got there in time anyway but the language inside the car was reminiscent of a Roy 'Chubby' Brown show as we slowly made our way across country.  In the meantime the bird was being reported every now and again before disappearing occasionally either around Little Orme or Great Orme.  We eventually arrived on site at about 6.45pm, the last report being about 45 minutes before.  I was beginning to fear the worst!  Whilst scanning a number of Sandwich Terns were feeding in the bay and Northern Gannets, Razorbills and Guillemots passed by offshore but there was no further sign of the main prize.

Whilst settling down with a bag of the most expensive Haddock & Chips ever (seven fekkin' pounds and sixty bleedin' pence), I received a call from Mike Stokes.  He'd just had the bird between the pier and Great Orme.  The time was about 8.10pm.  Panic ensued, half-eaten fish suppers were binned and we ran around like headless chickens for a few minutes before realising most birders along the promenade had not even seen it.  The bird was spotted by just ten observers from a higher position between the Great Orme and the pier.  Despite hanging on until about 9.20pm we finally gave up and made our way back to the West Midlands full of disappointment and dejection..... this time the quicker way. 

STOP PRESS:  AS I WRITE THERE AS JUST BEEN A REPORT OF ANOTHER 'PROBABLE' AFRICAN ROYAL TERN AT LLANDUDNO..... I'M OFFFF!

Orange football shirts are pretty fekkin' cool....however 'orange-billed' Terns are right wankers!