crested tern fishing

[greg cowle]

On the fishing pier in Palm Cove the crested terns have learned to steal the bait of the fishermen after they cast their lines and the bait hits the water. You can see here the hook in the bait (outside the bill) as he pulls up on the fishing line in the strong wind. Nice view of the tail. No-one was injured in the time I was viewing, but clearly a bit dangerous for the tern... They seem to pull until either the bait comes loose for dinner of the tension pulls the bait from the bill.

[gail bisson]

This really shows the dangers for birds with fishing hooks. Tail does look great. We stayed in Palm Cove years ago and went back for nostalgia sake while in Port Douglas and could not believe how busy the area was. Big huge change in 20 years!

[Colin Driscoll]

Good shot. Reminds me of the time I was beach fishing, caught a smallish fish and a Cormorant grabbed it. I had fish and Cormorant on the line reeling them in for a while until the bird though better of it and spat it out.