Tern Adventure

For a while now I was looking around to find an opportunity to photograph little terns (dwergstern). I found it in Poland along the Vistula river thanks to my local guide Lukasz Boch who made this possible.

And it was an adventure! 5 days camping on the river bank; no electricity, no running water and most of all no people! We were away from the world and, when not photographing, we enjoyed the silence and the tranquility of the scenery and the relaxing influence of the slow moving water in the majestic river; as far as we could see the river banks were without any human interference. Wonderfull!

The island in the river was only a few minutes kayak peddling away. A breeding location for little terns, common terns (visdief), little ringed plover (kleine plevier) and a few blackheaded gulls (kokmeeuw). The timing of the trip was focused on the best period for hatchlings; normally there should be chicks. But as so often happens nowadays, climate change disturbs the normal cycle.

On first inspection there were no signs of hatchlings. We first thought the previous heat wave would be responsible but on the other hand there were signs of a large flooding; roots of plants partly visible with plant debris higher in the branches. So it must have been a thunder storm with heavy rain causing the disaster. We found several dead chicks. The birds had to start all over again.

Morning and evening sessions were planned with the weather app in constant stand by. Flexibility needed. Wake up at 02,45h to be in the bivy on the island at 04,00h; sunrise at 04,30h ; 3 hours lying in the bivy to catch the opportunities. I had a splendid spot with 4 little tern nests, one common and one little ringed plover; what a fantastic location with sunrise in the back and sunset in front!

Luckily temperature was ok with around 15 in the morning and 22/23 during the day; mostly cloudy and with some showers regularly, so planning was essential. We could work around it; we were more worried about the wind; with strong winds bird are reluctant to any activity and moreover there is sand blowing all over the place: in your eyes, in the camera...

Even without chicks this trip was more than rewarding, and I mean not only for the pictures but for the entire relaxing experience. Thank you Lukasz! Arrangements are made for next year.

Enjoy and up to the next one.