another southern bird moving north

Forster's Terns outnumbered Common Terns on the creek this morning by something like 3:1. The Forster's, which are all in their whitish fall plumage (with the the black cheek patch on a white face) are easy to recognize. They were noticeably common in the spring and now again as fall approaches (yes, mid-August is the beginning of fall in the bird world). I have the sense that the Common Terns are already getting ready to migrate south (gathering somewhere like Montauk, Plum Island, Orient or Great Gull Island) while the more southerly Forster's are spreading out in all directions and may linger here much later (along with the Royals). I think that there are already breeding recordings for Western Long Island; how long before they start breeding here? In fact, they may already be breeding near Moriches Inlet.

Eric Salzman