Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2026-72
| Common name: |
Arctic Tern |
| Scientific name: | [Sterna paradisaea] |
| Date: | 10/13/2026 |
| Time: | 2pm |
| Length of time observed: | 1 hour |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | ? |
| Sex: | ? |
| Location: | East Canyon Reservoir |
| County: | Morgan |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | Over 6000 feet |
| Distance to bird: | Hundred feet |
| Optical equipment: | Zeiss spotting scope |
| Weather: | Raining |
| Light Conditions: | Poor |
| Description: Size of bird: | Small tern |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Tern |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | Mostly white little bit of grays and black |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Small tern shape |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
Saw a tern fly by while looking at a Sabine's Gull. I noted it look to
have a complete dark cap which terns I am normally seeing don't have
hardly any cap in fall. Upon scoping bird my initial thought was a
Common Tern due to the dark carpalbar. However I also noticed red legs
and feet which I thought odd as well as it seem to have very white
wings. After viewing my digiscope data I consulted Sibley field guides
and found Arctic Tern was close to Common Tern and had the traits I was
concerned about. I also plugged my stills into merlin app which I do not
rely on but like to just see it came back Arctic on all four with no
other options. I still didn't think it could be one it would be to rare
so put in to ebird as Common Tern however multiple people that are more
knowledgeable with these two species contacted me saying it looked to be
an Arctic Tern. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | None |
| Behavior: | Tern like |
| Habitat: | Reservoir |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
Common Tern should show more dark on wing especially primary edges, less of a cap this time of year, shouldn't have red legs this time of year, also darker tail especially outer feathers. All around Common Tern would be darker looking than my bird. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Only twice |
| References consulted: | Sibley field guides and internet |
| Description from: | From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Weston Smith |
| Observer's address: | Croydon Utah |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | Many others on 10/14/26 hopefully with better information than mine. |
| Date prepared: | 10/14/26 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: | nnina: |