A Laughing Gull displaying its breeding plumage
Laughing gulls come to the Turks and Caicos Islands to breed in early summer and can be frequently seen. It might be a little early as I didn’t see many gulls at French Cay.
In breeding season, the laughing gull has a distinct black head and deep red beak which changes to a whitish head and black bill in the fall.
Further down the beach, I came across a beautiful osprey perched on a rib of a boat that was sticking up out of the water.
A lone osprey surveys the surrounding seas as he rests for a moment.
The Osprey is a year round resident of the Turks and Caicos Islands and they prey on the abundant fish in our waters.
Preparing to take flight and catch his next fish
Ospreys that breed here year round are distinct as they have a very faint stripe behind the eye. The one pictured here is not from the region and has migrated here. Have a look at the eye and you will see a distinct black stripe.
Ospreys soar along our coastlines looking for fish rippling the water.
Enjoy the Turks and Caicos Islands and I hope you will get to see many of our birds during your stay here.
Marta