Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	LEAST TERN
Scientific name:	Sterna antillarum
Date:	MAY 12 ,2005
Time:	9;30 A.M.
Length of time observed:	5 MINUTES
Number:	1
Age:	ADULT
Sex:	UNKNOWN
Location:	UTAH LAKE STATE PARK
County:	UTAH
Latilong:
Elevation:	4,500 FT.
Distance to bird:	20'
Optical equipment:	BAUSH AND LOME
Weather:	CLOWDY AND BREEZY
Light Conditions:	GOOD
Description: Size of bird:	SMALLER THAN A ROBIN
(Description:) Basic Shape:	SLENDER
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	GREY, BLACK,WHITE
(Description:) Bill Type:	SLENDER
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	This morning (5/12/05) about 9:30 A. M. while birding on the about 200' north of the bend on the south jetty of the Utah Lake State Park I spotted a LEAST TERN. My first clue was its size. It was too small to mistake it for a Forster's. I then noticed the black primaries and the relatively short tail quite deeply forked. It then lit on the road. It was then that I noticed the white streak going up toward the eye from the beak. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:	NONE HEARD
Behavior:	FLYING LOW LOOKING DOWN. HOVERING AND THEN MOVING ALONG. IT LIT ON THE ROAD WHERE I GOT GOOD LOOKS AT IT.
Habitat:	LAKE SHORE
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	FORSTERS IS MUCH LARGER
Previous experience with this & similar species:	LEE KAY PONDS WEST OF SALT LAKE CITY AND PROVO AIRPORT DIKE IN THE PAST TWO YEARS
References consulted:	BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA---NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
Description from:
Observer:	REED L STONE
Observer's address:	2262 WEST 300 NORTH PROVO, UT 84601
Observer's e-mail address:
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	MILTON MOODY, ERIC HUISH, BONNY & STAN WILLIAMS
Date prepared:	12/MAY/2005
Additional material:	Photos [by Eric Huish and Milt Moody]
Additional comments: