The Black Tern, delicate dark marsh tern in migration
A delicate marsh tern celebrated for its airy, butterfly-like buoyant flight, the Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) stages in late summer on coastal Var lagoons. Its dark sooty plumage and shimmering reflection create pure magic.
My field observations in the Var — sites, months and context
Encountered in late August skimming mirror-like waters at Les Pesquiers and Les Vieux Salins. Birds weave back and forth picking insects and surface fingerlings without ever plunging submerged.
Commented in situ photo gallery
1 telephoto photographs taken in the Var department (Rule 11)
Recognizing the species on my photos — visible details
Around 24 cm in length. In breeding and transitional late-summer plumage, head, breast and belly are velvety slate-black, contrasting with silver-grey wings and a slightly notched tail.
Shallow coastal lagoons, brackish saltpans, open freshwater marshes and reed margins.
Dragonflies, damselflies, midges, water beetles and small surface fingerlings.
Photographing the species: field experience
Gliding mere centimeters above still lagoons allows capturing both bird and reflection in one frame. Precise panning tracking is crucial at high shutter speeds.
- •Unlike sea terns, the Black Tern rarely dive-plunges, picking food gracefully from water surfaces or catching insects in midair.
- •It breeds across central and eastern Europe on floating aquatic vegetation rafts before heading to African waters.
- •During August migration, adults begin their post-breeding molt, showing delicate white mottling on chin and belly.
