Sighting Record for Utah

Common name:	Least Tern
Scientific name:	[Sternula antillarium]
Date:	May 19 2024
Time:	6:43 pm
Length of time observed:	118 minutes
Number:	1
Age:
Sex:
Location:	4000 W and Lake Shore
County:	Utah
Latilong:
Elevation:	4500 feet
Distance to bird:	20 to 100 yards
Optical equipment:	Vortex viper 12x50 camera sx70
Weather:	Windy and overcast
Light Conditions:	Cloudy not the best
Description: Size of bird:	8 to 10 inches body size
(Description:) Basic Shape:	Small Tern with not too long of a tail pointed wings
(Description:) Overall Pattern:	White with gray on wings
(Description:) Bill Type:	Yellow and slender
(Description:) Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics:	Noticed a tiny Tern with dark cap and white forehead, yellow bill and dark primaries on wings. Other closest tern would be a forester's but this bird was so tiny and lacked the long tail. Erratic flight pattern. When it landed a Spotted Sandpiper walked by and it was smaller than it. (see photos)
Song or call & method of delivery:
Behavior:	Typical Tern just way more speedy and erratic
Habitat:	Flooded field
Similar species and how were they eliminated:	Too tiny and lacked the long tail for a forester's. Even a Black-necked Stilt towered over this tiny tern. Eliminated common, foresters, and arctic by size, bill color, and the fact they don't have a white forehead in breeding plumage.
Previous experience with this & similar species:	Seen before at Powell Lake and in California
References consulted:
Description from:	Notes made later From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting
Observer:	Suzi Holt
Observer's address:	551 Saddlebrook drive Payson, Utah
Observer's e-mail address:	**
Other observers who independently identified this bird:	I called KC and consulted Jeff Cooper. KC, Mike, McKay, Esther and Jessie saw it as well
Date prepared:	May 20 2024
Additional material:	Photos, Video
Additional comments: