Last Thursday, we — The HNS White Tern Observation Team — caught a glimpse of The Egg!
Based on how long the parent birds have been sitting in that one location, we knew a new chick would be with us soon.
Then today:
An eggshell!
The hatching attracted a lot of attention, from another white tern pair as well as other bird species.
Mum (or dad — who can tell?) looked on, unruffled.
Then, at day’s end, we caught sight of grey fluff!
Her name is Asahi (旭, “morning sun”).
Mahalo Ms. Sakiko for choosing such a lovely name!
Mum (or dad’s) busy already keeping little Asahi 旭 safe!
It won’t be long before both parents are flying off to catch appropriately-sized fish for Asahi 旭 and delivering them fresh!
White tern chicks just love sashimi!
So, when at the HNS main gate, look up!
Often.
Note: Years ago now Ms. Sakiko took on the onerous task of naming HNS’s white tern chicks. Left up to students, chicks were invariably named Fluffy or Puffball, with those who “lost out” on the naming feeling mightily aggrieved. (“You can call her Fluffy but I’m going to call her PUFFBALL!”) Happily, HNS students have accepted the “Ms. Sakiko Names the Chicks” tradition and delight in new chicks, no ruffled student feathers!