About this time each year, Arctic Terns, a world-record breaking bird that migrates annually almost from pole to pole, reach Australia. For reasons unknown, there have already been two reports from Victorian beaches this spring. The first was from Mordialloc on Melbourne's Port Phillip Bay (precise location on Birdo), followed shortly after by birds near Portland in the west of the state. The Mordialloc birds were new for a number of birders and it was exciting when they were refound by the Ramsey's, five days after the initial discovery. I set off scope in hand down Monash Freeway at midday after receiving a call from Mike Carter that they were being watched 'right now'. What a great way to waste two hours this sunny Friday afternoon. No more than 45 minutes later I was staring at a beach awash with amorously courting Crested Terns and a single smaller tern - the Arctic Tern. For a number of us there this was the first encounter in Australia. I am more used to seeing these birds, in spring, arriving on English east coast to breed. They arrive fully regaled with silky bright plumage and red bills. Our bird today was a bit more mundane. Less