Dramatic chase as Sandwich Tern pursued by Arctic Skuas
It’s a stunning day at Mae Sands, or, as one Westray inhabitant insists it is called, the Sands o’ Maesan. It’s a blue skies, white shell-sand beach, prickly sand dunes, and gently crashing waves in a turquoise sea sort of day. If only my watch didn’t keep alerting me to the fact that the sound has gone over 90db and there’s danger of damage to my ears, it would be idyllic.
What noise is so loud? It’s the wind blowing.
There’s a Sandwich Tern flying past amongst the Arctic Terns. I’m sure I’ve seen two of them at once. They are heavier birds than Arctic Terns and thicker-set, with a robust black beak with a yellow tip.
Here’s one I saw earlier:
And here’s one today on Mae Sands:
Unfortunately for it, there are a pair of Arctic Skuas waiting for it to have a successful fishing trip. Their eyesight is incredible and they can spot a glittering fish held briefly in beak from a vast distance away. It’s the way Arctic Skuas live – stealing the fish from other birds. It’s flyway robbery.
There’s a dramatic pursuit. It’s unusual to see both Arctic Skuas involved at the same time. It must be the time of year.
They are fast and relentless, twisting and turning in the air, determined to get the Sandwich Tern to disgorge the fish it’s just caught.
Finally I get the shot I’ve always wanted – the pursuit.
I’m utterly thrilled to have captured this moment.
If I wait here long enough they will do it again and again. It’s a never-ending cycle, day after day over evolutionary time. The Sandwich Terns which are best at avoiding or escaping, raise chicks which are best at avoiding and escaping. The Arctic Skuas which are best ot observing and stealing, raise chicks which are best at observing and stealing.
Life and death goes on, unnoticed by most.