Isn't it too late for breeding?

[Dinusaur]

A pair of Common Tern is seen mating and resting on an exposed rocky shore of Reesor pond in Markham, Ontario. It is a bit of unusual to see them go through this ritual so late in the season unless they are thinking of second brood. While watching I witnessed them harassing a pair of Caspian Tern that came to fish in the pond. At one point, one of the Common Terns was seen defecating on a Caspian while in flight. They did the same to an Osprey that ventured into the pond earlier. I understand that this is a common defensive behaviour of Common Terns while nesting. Is it common for the Common Terns to nest in early July? Or is it just a trial run for the future years?

[attachment=1:25oqohbw]Tern Attack.JPG[/attachment:25oqohbw]
[attachment=0:25oqohbw]Common Tern 4_01.JPG[/attachment:25oqohbw]

[Ally]

Wow! You always see the cool stuff, with the falcon transferring food,  kids practising hunt on leaves, kingbird riding on bald eagle...
Maybe they just had bad tummy, you know all fish diet and eating them raw. hahaha, Shortsighted is the one to blame if I talk too funny.

[thouc]

I'm not sure about how late Common Terns can breed, but my guess is they would try to breed again if the first attempt failed.

[Dinusaur]

I'm not sure about how late Common Terns can breed, but my guess is they would try to breed again if the first attempt failed.

Well it is confirmed that the Common Terns are nesting there. On Friday afternoon I dropped by the pond and saw one sitting on the nest, most likely on eggs. I hope the upcoming rain doesn't flood the rocky beach that their nest is on. By the way there's also a Short-billed Dowitcher there in the pond.

[Dinusaur]

I dropped by the pond after the storm today and saw the nest completely submerged under water. The pair was still around but no sigh of any newly hatched chicks, I had to assume that the nest had failed as a result of flooding - sad ending.