Verification of Unusual Sight Record
For Utah

Rec. # 2025-31


Common name:

Least Tern

Scientific name: Sternula antillarum
Date: May 12, 2025
Time: 7:13 PM
Length of time observed: 20 minutes
Number: 2
Age: Adult
Sex: unknown
Location: Sand Hollow Reservoir
County: Washington
Latilong: 37�′38″N 113�′34″W
Elevation: 3000 feet
Distance to bird: Originally we were about 50 yards from the bird
Optical equipment: 8 x 43 Zen Ray binoculars, and Vortex Diamondback HD 10 x 42 and Swarovski 10 x 50 and Swarovski spotting scope
Weather: Sunny and very windy
Light Conditions: Evening sunlight
Description:        Size of bird: Small tern
(Description:)       Basic Shape: Tern Shape
(Description:)  Overall Pattern: mostly white with some black
(Description:)            Bill Type: tern type bill
(Description:)                              
Field Marks and
Identifying Characteristics:

We pulled up to the beach at Sand Hollow that the gulls often frequent and saw a group of shorebirds, gulls, and terns. The wind was howling from the south. We got out and noticed some small birds next to 4 Forster type terns and I initially thought they were possibly Sanderling as they felt the right size and were white in appearance from 50 yards. Claire had 10 x bins and said that she didn't think they were shorebirds, but could see the white forehead of a Least Tern. We grabbed Natalies spotting scope and looked at the birds and were delighted to see two breeding adult Least Terns. We could see their white foreheads, and yellow bills. The birds had black caps on them, with a black eye line. The leg color wasn't noted as they were in the sand. The chest and the stomach of the bird was white. The mantle of the bird was gray. As we went to take photos, one bird picked up to start to fly. We were able to photograph it as it flew and noted the pale underwing, the white forehead again. However while in flight we did not notice the dark primaries at a distance.
(see photos)

Song or call & method of delivery: Never heard vocalize.
 
Behavior: Originally Perched on sandy beach facing into the wind, then flying into the wind out on the reservoir.
Habitat: Reservoir with sandy beach.
Similar species and how
were they eliminated:
Least Terns are pretty unique in size and pattern. The birds that are most similar that could show up in Utah would be the Forster's and Common Tern. We had Forster's Terns next to the pair of Least Terns and the size difference was very apparent. Also the lack of white on the forehead excludes these two species.
Previous experience with
this & similar species:
I've seen multiple Least Terns around Utah, and Clarissa and Natalie have also seen this species of tern before.
References consulted: Sibley Field Guide
Description from: Notes made later
Observer:  KC Childs
Observer's address: Orem, UT
Observer's e-mail address: **
Other observers who independently identified this bird: Natalie Tanner, Clarissa Chipman
Date prepared: May 30, 2025
Additional material: Photos
Additional comments: Photos were emailed