BIRD CALL.Byline: DAVID David, in the Bible David, d. c.970 B.C., king of ancient Israel (c.1010–970 B.C.), successor of Saul. The Book of First Samuel introduces him as the youngest of eight sons who is anointed king by Samuel to replace Saul, who had been deemed a failure. POWELL Hundreds turn up to first ever visit of rare royal tern (Zool.) a large, crested American tern (Sterna maxima). See also: Royal MORE than 200 twitchers descended on a resort to spot a bird never previously seen in North Wales North Wales (known in some archaic texts as Northgalis) is the northernmost unofficial region of Wales, bordered to the south by Mid Wales and to the east by England. . The royal tern - usually seen on the eastern seaboard of the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. and Senegal in West Africa West Africa A region of western Africa between the Sahara Desert and the Gulf of Guinea. It was largely controlled by colonial powers until the 20th century. West African adj. & n. - was spotted in Llandudno. The arrival of the rare bird, the size of a small gull, sparked a flurry of excitement across the country with enthusiasts rushing to the resort from as far as Dartford and Devon. . Read Hughes' bird column in Weekend every Saturday latest sightings Many flitted between West Shore and North Shore as pagers and mobile phones throbbed with updates about its movements on Saturday and Sunday. Conwy RSPB RSPB n abbr (Brit) (= Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) → LPO f RSPB (Brit) n abbr (= Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) → assistant site manager Mike Duckham, based at Llandudno Junction, said: "I got a text from a birding friend to say it had been seen by the pier. I shot down there as quickly as I could. When I first saw it off Llandudno North Shore it was very distant. It came in close in then went out to sea." He said the royal tern was spotted at both North Shore and West Shore. "It gave us the run around." He added: "There was a sighting in Kenfig near Bridgend in November 1981 but a royal tern has never before been seen in North Wales. It's caused a massive stir. It's quite a Holy Grail. I'd only seen one before in the States and in the western Sahara in Morocco in February. "This one must have brought 200 twitchers from all over Great Britain into Llandudno's B& Bs because they stayed there on Saturday. It was very exciting." watching Post for the The reason for the royal tern's visit remains unclear. "It's a big mystery," said Mike. "It could be related to the weather." He said another friend, Alan Davies spotted the royal tern from his flat window on the Prom. "He looked out of his window and saw it from there. Not bad for your 'house list'." Mike said that the royal tern is known for its shaggy crest and long thick orange beak like a small carrot. One witness, who did not wish to be named, spotted the enthusiasts from Chatsworth House Hotel on Llandudno Promenade. She said: "I saw lots of people gathered round a palm tree further down the promenade taking pictures and making notes. They were bristling with long lens cameras and binoculars." Messages were posted in the website forum at northwalesbirding.co.uk. One reported that a royal tern was seen at Abersoch harbour on June 15 and another in Ireland earlier in the month prompting speculation all three sightings may be the same bird. davidpowell@dailypost.co.uk Julian THERE'LOTS MORE TO SEE Things to do, places to go and where to stay CAPTION(S): Hundreds of bird watchers came to Llandudno Prom (above) to see a Royal Tern (main) |
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