Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Least Tern
Scientific name:	Sternula antillarum
Date:	5/27/19
Time:	around 8:00 am
Length of time observed:	30 seconds
Number:	1
Age:	Adult
Sex:	Unknown
Location:	Inland Sea Shorebird Reserve
County:	Salt Lake
Latilong:
Elevation:
Distance to bird:	100 ft
Optical equipment:	10x50 binoculars
Weather:	Cloudy, some drizzle, slight wind
Light Conditions:	Good, cloudy sky made for nice even lighting
Description: Size of bird:	Dove-sized
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Pointed wings, beak, and tail
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	White overall with black wing bar
(Description:) Bill Type:	Long and pointed
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	All white bird with long streamer tail and long pointed wings. Bill was pointed and light yellow in color. Flight was butterfly-like with deliberate wing beats. Most distinct feature that stood out despite brief sighting was the thin black bar going along the outer edge of the primaries.
Song or call & method of delivery:
Behavior:	Flew much like all terns. I saw it as we were leaving one section of the reserve.
Habitat:	Marshy wetland
Similar species and how were they eliminated:
Previous experience with this & similar species:	The black wing bar across the outer edge of the wing was the key diagnostic to set it apart from Common or Forster's Tern and led to a quick ID. The yellowish beak was another key feature. Second-guessed myself based on rarity, but the field marks were distinct.
References consulted:	Field guides
Description from:	Notes taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Ian Batterman
Observer's address:	8538 S. Harvard Park Dr
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:
Date prepared:	6/24/19
Additional material:
Additional comments: