Sooty Tern

The Sooty Tern is the most numerous bird on the island with an estimated breeding population of nearly 80,000 pairs. It is a black and white seabird that is approximately the size of a pigeon but much slimmer and sleeker It is a loud and pugnacious and it is everywhere. When you work in the colonies you need earplugs all day. They are sitting on eggs now and anytime you are near a nest they are pecking at your legs and feet. Since there are several nests to the square yard in most of the colonies this means all the time. My lower legs and ankles are pock marked with little scabs. They also fly over your head and peck at your scalp vigorously enough to draw blood through a straw hat. If none of this works they will just fly in your face and annoy you like a buzzing mosquito. It takes a lot of concentration to ignore all this and get your work done and is a big relief to get inside and away from them at the end of the day