Wader . Tern - Artic Tern (Lifer 585/688)

Picture not sharp becos of the hot afternoon haze

This winter migratory bird has landed in west coast of Peninsula which may be  a first photo record for Malaysia! It was never recorded as a bird of Malaysia It is now considered a rare vagrant. So when news reaches my ear I  plan to drive  to the mudflats of Morib Selangor at the earliest time. Morib is about 1.15 hours drive from KL central asap. My experience of vagrants is that they are in passage  to their destination ie Antartica and thus may not stays long at any time.

Thru the guidance of my buddy we look out for the tern amongst the colony of Whimbrel rather with the other terns

It was a single bird sighted here; vagrant ma. Its stayed by itself from the many  other  terns there. It is considered a medium size tern ranging  11-15 inches.  Here it is in its non breeding plummage In breeding period their beak and legs turn red and head turn black 

The Arctic tern is famous for its migration; it flies from its Arctic breeding grounds to the Antarctic and back again each year. The shortest distance between these areas is 19,000 km (12,000 mi). The long journey ensures that this bird sees two summers per year and more daylight than any other creature on the planet. In Asia the migratory route is thru offshore /open sea ie South China Sea or Indian Ocean but at times of unusual wind they may be blown off course towards land. 

Apparently Artic Tern can live upto 30 years. So In future they will return in full force  when they instinctly  remembers the abundant of food of fish crustacean and vertebrae   in peninsula coastal mudflats.