CLOSED: Smaller terns among lots of Sterna bergii.

I think that they are Common Terns but am not confident.

Either Common Tern or White-fronted Tern, not sure how to tell them apart. The ones in pics 2, 4, 5 are first-winter immatures (showing a dark carpal bar), the other two may be adult winter, but not the best viewing angle for seeing the upperwing pattern.

I'm assuming these were taken on the coast near Narracan?

Resin

Thanks for your comments Resin. I've subsequently been browsing HANZAB and I think that they are most probably White-fronted Terns as you suggest. They have so much information that I am left bewildered at times, particularly when trying to decipher meaning from an unfamiliar vocabulary of plumage and biological terms. However, I'm nearly convinced. I'm returning to Cape Paterson this week for a day and I'll try to get to see the terns again. Sorry I didn't say where I'd taken the photos. It's on the south coast of Victoria on Bass Strait about 80 km south-west of Narracan. David

You're welcome!

I actually came close to only saying White-fronted, but drew back because I didn't have access to any worthwhile info on winter and immature plumages of the eastern subspecies of Common Tern (Sterna hirundo longipennis), which (in summer at least) is quite distinct from the western S. h. hirundo that I'm familiar with.

If there's any unfamiliar terminology you want help with, I can give it a try.

Resin

Thanks again. HANZAB has a good glossary, but I find that when I have to look up 5 or 6 different words in a couple of paragraphs I lose the thread of the information. Reading and re-reading will eventually bring sufficient familiarity so that meaning will come clear. David