Common Tern Juveniles Practising Their Wings at Warnham Local Nature Reserve

Welcome to my wildlife photography journal! Warnham Local Nature Reserve continues to be one of my favourite places to observe the changing seasons and the incredible moments that happen throughout the year. On 28th June 2026, I was lucky enough to witness a lovely stage in the breeding season as Common Tern juveniles began practising and strengthening their wings.

Watching these young terns stretch, exercise, and test their developing abilities was a fascinating experience. Their gentle wing stretches gradually became full extensions as they built the strength and confidence needed for life on the wing. These small moments of preparation are easy to overlook, but they are such an important part of a young bird’s journey towards independence.

Photographing juvenile birds is always rewarding, as it allows you to capture those brief stages of growth and behaviour that are only seen for a short period. Seeing the young terns develop day by day is a reminder of the patience and dedication that goes into wildlife photography, and the importance of spending time observing rather than simply searching for a photograph.

Warnham Local Nature Reserve continues to provide fantastic opportunities to experience and photograph wildlife, with every visit offering something different. Whether it’s breeding behaviour, seasonal changes, or a fleeting moment like this, there is always something special waiting to be discovered.

Thanks for reading! Be sure to explore my other wildlife adventures and photography from Warnham Local Nature Reserve and beyond. Every visit brings new experiences, and I look forward to sharing more moments from the field soon.