Sooty Tern
Onychoprion fuscatus (Linnaeus, 1766) (10, 0)
Photo © Iain H Leach
STATUS
Oceanic, Tropics and Sub-tropics. Polytypic.
OVERVIEW
BOU (1971) state there were seven between 1852-1911, then nine 1933-54. However, in the review of certain records 1950-57, the 1951 Cornwall and 1954 Orkney individuals were found not proven. The two in 1935 and one in 1943, both Dorset, are not accepted locally anymore.
RECORDS
1). 1852 Derbyshire/Staffordshire River Dove, near Tutbury, shot, October.
(E. Brown, Zoologist 1853: 3755-56; Eds., Proceedings of the Linnean Society 2: 213; J. McIntosh, Morris and Bree's Naturalist 3: 84; Mosley; Yarrell, 1856; Mosley, 1863; Newman, 1866; Harting, 1872; Yarrell, 1871-85; Seebohm, 1883-85; Whitlock, 1893; W. G. Clarke, Zoologist 1903: 394; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 2: 420; Witherby, 1920-24; Smith, 1939; Harrison et al., 1982; Harrison & Harrison, 2005; Frost & Shaw, 2013).
History Edwin Brown of Burton-on-Trent (1853) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XI. pp. 3755-56, dated 20th December, 1852, says: 'I have the pleasure to record the occurrence of a bird near Burton-on-Trent, new, not only to the Fauna of Britain, but also to that of Europe.
About four months ago it was reported to me that a strange bird had been killed at Tutbury, near this town, which, as my informant said was a Gull-billed Tern Sterna nilotica. Being at the time very much engaged in business, and knowing that the specimen was not leaving the neighbourhood, I did not hurry to visit and examine it; in the mean time the bird had purchased by H. W. Des Voeux, Esq., of Drakelow Hall, and added to his collection of indigenous specimens.
On seeing it there a few days ago, I at once saw that it was no previously recorded British species; and on referring to Wilson, Latham &c., it became evident that it was the Sooty Tern.
Considering that this species is so widely dispersed over the globe, that it is abundant in Australia and in some of the South Sea Islands, and is also found on nearly the whole length of the American coast, the only wonder is that it has not frequently wandered to Europe.
The specimen is in fine condition, and if you think it desirable to have a representation of it, I shall be happy to send you a drawing, as Mr. Des Voeux has kindly consented to lend me the specimen for the purpose. In this instance at least there can be no question as to whether the individual was truly a wild specimen, or had been kept in captivity, as I believe no successful efforts have ever been made to confine the terns.'
In an Editorial (1853) in the Proceedings of the Linnean Society, Vol. II. p. 213, they say: 'Mr. Yarrell, V.P. and Treas. L.S., exhibited a specimen of the Sooty Tern (Sterna fuliginosa, Lath.), a species new to Britain and even to Europe, which was killed in October last at Burton-on-Trent, was preserved for, and belongs to the collection of H, W. Desvoeux [sic], Esq.'
J. McIntosh (1853) in Morris and Bree's edition of The Naturalist, Vol. III. p. 84, dated 19th February 1853, says: 'Sooty Tern was exhibited by Mr. Yarrell, at the Linnean Society, February 15th. This bird is not only new to the British Fauna, but also to that of Europe. It was shot in October last, near Burton-on-Trent, and had been sent to Mr. Yarrell, by W. Desboast, [sic] Esq., to whose collection it belonged.'
Yarrell (1856, 2nd supp.) says: 'By the kindness of H. W. Desvoeux [sic], Esq., of Drakelow Hall, I was allowed the pleasure of exhibiting at a meeting of the Linnean Society in February 1853, a well-preserved specimen of this species.
This bird was shot in October 1852 at Tutbury, near Burton-on-Trent, and was purchased by Mr. Desvoeux [sic] for his collection. I was permitted further use of this bird, and the figure and description here given was taken from this example, the only one known to have been killed in Britain.'
Edwin Brown in Mosley (1863: 110) under 'Sooty Tern' says: 'The only known example to have occurred in Europe was killed in the summer of 1852 at Tutbury by a deaf and dumb boy, who brought it down with a stone. It is in the collection of H. W. Des Voeux, Esq., at Drakelow Hall.'
Admitted by Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 562, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds and by Seebohm (1885 (3): 292) as the first for Britain.
Whitlock (1893: 221) says: 'According to Sir Oswald Mosley, it was brought down with a stone, by a deaf and dumb boy named Ault, in the summer of 1852, near Tutbury. It passed into the collection of Sir Henry des Vouex, at Drakelow Hall (Natural History of Tutbury, etc.).'
W. G. Clarke of Norwich (1903) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. VII. p. 394, in a summary of previous occurrences, says: 'The British occurrences were at Tutbury, near Burton-on-Trent, in 1852.'
H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1909) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 420, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', say: 'The specimen figured in the Manual was not shot as there stated (p. 653) but killed with a stone (F. C. R. Jourdain, in litt.).'
Accepted locally in his Birds of Staffordshire (Smith 1939: 238). Harrison & Harrison (2005: 330) state that the uncertainty over the details raises doubts about its authenticity. Frost & Shaw (2013) state that the Dove forms the boundary between the two counties.
2). 1869 Oxfordshire Near Wallingford, Berkshire, shot, 21st June.
(J. E. Harting, Zoologist 1869: 1867-1868; J. E. Harting, Field 26th June 1869: 538; Harting, 1872; Yarrell, 1871-85; Aplin, 1889; W. G. Clarke, Zoologist 1903: 394; Witherby, 1920-24; Radford, 1966).
History J. E. Harting (1869) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. IV. pp. 1867-1868, undated, and in The Field of 26th Jun., Vol. XXXIII. p. 538, says: 'An adult Sooty Tern was shot on the river at Wallingford, Berks., on the 21st inst. by Mr. Franklyn, and has been sent to Mr. Gardner, of High Holborn, for preservation.
The rarity of this tern in Europe may be estimated from the fact that, up to the present time, it has been noticed but once in England, and once in Germany. Mr. Yarrell has included the species in the third edition of his British Birds, recording the capture of a single individual at Tutbury, near Burton-on-Trent, in October, 1852....It is intermediate in size between the Common Tern and the Sandwich Tern.
The bill, legs and toes are black; the head, nape, and all the upper surface of the body, sooty black; the chin, breast and under parts pure white; while the tail is long and considerably forked. I examined the bird in the flesh. Mr. Franklyn may well be congratulated as the fortunate possessor of one of the rarest of so-called British birds.'
Admitted by Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 562, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, who says: 'Other so-called examples have proved upon examination to be specimens of the Black Tern.'
Accepted locally (Aplin 1889: 168).
W. G. Clarke of Norwich (1903) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. VII. p. 394, in a summary of previous occurrences, says: 'The British occurrences were...near Wallingford, Berks., in 1869.'
3). 1885 Avon Near Bath, Somerset, adult, caught alive, 4th or 5th October.
(Saunders, 1889; Saunders, 1899; M. A. Mathew, Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeological & Natural History Society 39: 132; W. G. Clarke, Zoologist 1903: 394; Witherby, 1920-24).
History Saunders (1889: 653, 2nd ed.) says: 'Mr. A. C. Foot of Bath sent me an adult, with the information that it was caught alive, after wet and windy weather, about three miles from that city, on October 4th or 5th 1885, and was seen in the flesh by the late Rev. Leonard Blomefield [Jenyns] as well as by the Librarian of the Museum.'
M. A. Mathew (1893) in the Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeological & Natural History Society, Vol. XXXIX. p. 132, says: 'Mr. Foot, the bird-stuffer at Bath, has shown us a beautiful example of this Tern that was caught alive near Bath, after stormy weather, in October, 1885.'
W. G. Clarke of Norwich (1903) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. VII. p. 394, in a summary of previous occurrences, says: 'The British occurrences were...near Bath, in 1885.'
4). 1900 Suffolk Santon Downham, moribund, early April, now at Castle Museum, Norwich (Acc. No. NWHCM: 1904.3.
(W. A. Dutt, Field 3rd Oct., 1903: 600; W. G. Clarke, Zoologist 1903: 393-394; J. H. Gurney & T. Southwell, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 7: 739; W. G. Clarke, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 7: 752-753; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 2: 308; Witherby, 1920-24; Ticehurst, 1932; Dye, Fiszer & Allard, 2009).
History W. A. Dutt of Lowestoft (1903) in The Field of 3rd Oct., Vol. CII. p. 600, says: 'During a recent visit to N.W. Suffolk, Mr. W. G. Clarke and I found in the possession of Mr. J. Nunn, of Santon Downham, a fine and well preserved adult Sooty Tern (Sterna fuliginosa).
The bird was found dead on Santon Downham Warren in the spring of 1900, but Mr. Nunn only knew it as a "sea-swallow" until Mr. Clarke and I chanced to see it. I may add that Mr. Thos. Southwell, of Norwich, has since seen it, and has confirmed our identification. This is the first record of a Sooty Tern for East Anglia, and the fourth for England.'
W. G. Clarke of Norwich (1903) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. VII. pp. 393-394, says: 'At the latter end of March or beginning of April, 1900, Mr. J. Nunn and Mr. G. Mortimer, jun., found a bird lying dead on the heathland between Thetford and Brandon in the parish of Santon Downham.
The bird was found on some bracken, about half a mile from the river Little Ouse and the highway between Thetford and Brandon, and a quarter of a mile from Thetford Warren, which is the administrative county of Norfolk. Mr. Nunn, who lives at Little Lodge Farm, sent the bird to Mr. F. Rix, of Thetford, who stuffed it, and informed the owner it was a "Black Tern".
It remained at the farmhouse until September of this year, when Mr. W. A. Dutt, of Lowestoft, and the writer called and saw the bird. Neither of us, though confident it was a rarity, was able accurately to determine the species. I therefore took a written description of it, and on my return to Norwich quickly identified it as a Sooty Tern (Sterna fuliginosa). This was subsequently confirmed by Mr. T. Southwell.
The bird is an adult, in good plumage, and well stuffed. Mr. F. Rix, who stuffed it, informs me that the bird was very decomposed when taken to him early in April, 1900. It must have been dead at least five or six days, and he had great difficulty in skinning and mounting it. The breast-bone was "almost like a razor". There was nothing in the crop or bowels but dark clayey moisture, and no marks of shot or any wounds upon the skin. He came to the conclusion that it had died from exhaustion. March, 1900, was a month of uniformly low temperature, but there appear to have been no heavy gales from the south-east or south-west to account for the presence of a Sooty Tern so far from its usual haunts.
This record is the fourth only for the British Isles, and the seventh for all Europe. The British occurrences were at Tutbury, near Burton-on-Trent, in 1852; near Wallingford, Berks, in 1869; and near Bath, in 1885. This is consequently a fresh species for either the Suffolk or Norfolk lists.'
J. H. Gurney & T. Southwell (1904) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. VII. p. 739, read 29th March 1904, say: 'Early in April, 1900, an adult Sooty Tern was picked up dead at Santon Downham, in Suffolk, within the administrative district of Thetford, and only about a mile from the boundary of Norfolk, by Mr. J. Nunn, at whose house it was recognised as a rarity by Mr. W. G. Clarke, and his identification subsequently confirmed by Mr. Southwell. It is now in the Norwich Museum. - J.H.G.'
W. G. Clarke (1904) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. VII. pp. 752-753, says: The Sooty Tern (Sterna fuliginosa) which I have the pleasure of exhibiting this evening was found on Santon Downham Heath, in the early part of April, 1900, by Mr. J. Nunn, of Little Lodge Farm, Santon Downham.
He was rabbiting with a companion when they saw the bird lying dead on some bracken about a quarter-of a-mile from Thetford Warren - which is in the administrative county of Norfolk - and half-a-mile from the Thetford to Brandon highway and the river Little Ouse. The weather was fine and the bird quite dry when picked up; it was taken to Mr. F. J. Rix, Abbey Green, Thetford, to be stuffed, who found it very much decomposed and it must have been dead five or six days at least. It was in very poor condition, with nothing in the crop or bowels but dark, clayey moisture. There were no marks of shot or any wound upon the skin. When mounted the bird was returned to Mr. Nunn.
In the early part of September, 1903, Mr. W. A. Dutt and I stayed a few days at Little Lodge Farm, as a centre for Neolithic flint implement hunting expeditions, and noticed the bird. Though certain that it was a rarity, we were unable accurately to identify it. I took a description, and on my return to Norwich had little difficulty in identifying it as a Sooty Tern.
Only three specimens of this bird had previously been recorded for the British Isles, and three others for the whole continent of Europe. This is the first record either for Norfolk or Suffolk. Though fairly common in the southern hemisphere, it is very rare in the northern.
Its nearest breeding stations are on the island of St. Helena and at the southern end of the Red Sea. The recorded British occurrences were at Tutbury, near Burton on-Trent in 1852 ; near Wallingford, Berkshire, in 1869; and near Bath in 1885.
The specimen was subsequently purchased by the Norwich Castle Museum Committee, re-stuffed by Mr. Gunn, and placed in the British Bird room.'
Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1909) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 308, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', who say: 'An adult in good plumage, which had apparently died from exhaustion, was found on the heathland between Thetford and Brandon, at the end of March or beginning of April, 1900, by Messrs. J. Nunn and G. Mortimer. It was stuffed and remained wrongly identified until 1903, when Mr. W. G. Clarke saw it and identified it as a Sooty Tern, which was confirmed by Mr. T. Southwell (W. G. Clarke, Zool., 1903, p. 393).'
Accepted locally for Suffolk (Ticehurst 1932: 424; Piotrowski 2003: 196).
5). 1901 Greater Manchester Hulme, near Manchester, Lancashire, picked up exhausted, 9th October.
(R. Bowdler Sharpe, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 12: 26; C. Oldham, Zoologist 1902: 355; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 2: 308; Witherby, 1920-24; Oakes, 1953; Spencer, 1973).
History R. Bowdler Sharpe, Editor (1901) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XII. p. 26, at the 82nd Meeting of the Club held on 20th November 1901 at the Restaurant Frascati, London, says: 'Mr. Howard Saunders exhibited a specimen of the Sooty Tern (Sterna fuliginosa) which had been caught alive, but in an exhausted condition, on the 9th of October, 1901, in a street in Hulme, near Manchester. The bird was picked up by a man while going his rounds of calling up people, about five o'clock on the morning in question.'
Chas. Oldham of Knutsford (1902) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. VI. p. 355, says: 'I have recently had a opportunity of examining a Sooty Tern (Sterna fuliginosa) in adult plumage, which is said to have been found alive in Hulme, one of the most densely populated districts in Manchester, on the 9th of October, 1901.
The bird is in the possession of a man named Nuttall, who told me that when passing along Denbigh Street soon after dawn, in pursuit of his calling as a "knocker-up", his attention was attracted by a black and white bird, which was lying on its back, and struggling feebly. Nuttall, who takes some interest in birds, has at different times picked up dead or exhausted migrants in the streets in the early hours, and has a small collection of birds which he has shot on the outskirts of the city. In the dim light he mistook the Tern for a Lapwing which had come to grief among the telegraph-wires, but a closer examination showed it to be "some sort of Sea-Swallow" with which he was unacquainted. The bird died in his hand, and the local taxidermist to whom he took it was unable to name it for him.
When skinned it showed no sign of injury, but proved to be in very poor condition, and had apparently died from exhaustion after buffeting with the boisterous weather which had culminated in a gale from the south on the night before it was found.
After it had been set up it was exhibited at a meeting of the British Ornithologists' Club on Nov. 20th, by Howard Saunders. It is a matter for regret that the Tern was not submitted in the flesh to some competent authority, but its history as related to me by Nuttall and the man who stuffed it appears to be quite satisfactory.'
Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1909) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 308, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', who say: 'One was picked up alive, but in an exhausted condition, in the early morning, on October 9th, 1901, in a street in Hulme, near Manchester (H. Saunders, Bull. B.O.C., XII. p. 26; see also C. Oldham, Zool., 1902, p. 355). These are the fourth and fifth examples recorded in this country of this species.'
Comment The 1900 record was the 4th occurrence Witherby and Ticehurst refer to.
6). 1909 Meirionnydd Barmouth Golf Course, male, killed, 17th August, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1924Z18.4434).
(F. C. Rawlings, Zoologist 1909: 438; Forrest, 1919; Witherby, 1920-24; Lovegrove, Williams & Williams, 1994; Watson, 2010).
History F. C. Rawlings of Barmouth (1909) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XIII. p. 438, says: 'I presume the occurrence of the Sooty Tern (Sterna fuliginosa) in Britain is sufficiently rare to be noted and put on record. I see that Seebohm gives two instances, and Howard Saunders enumerates three of its captures, but am not aware whether others have been obtained since.
I thought it would be of interest to ornithologists to know that a specimen was picked up within about a mile or so of Barmouth on August 17th last, and brought to me as "a Petrel"! I say "picked up" rather than "knocked down" (though the bird was alive), to prevent it being remarked that "it is a great pity this rare species was thus ruthlessly destroyed, as if it had been spared it would probably have remained to breed on our shores"! as has been said of birds quite as unfitted for nesting in Britain.
It was in fair plumage, though the sixth and three next primaries and the outermost tail-feathers seem recently moulted, being more ash-coloured and fresher-looking than the rest of the plumage. The middle toe-nails are long, and have an inward lateral curve, as though bent from long standing on an unyielding ground. It weighed five ounces, and measured in length 16 in. Breadth, wings expanded 22½ in. On dissection it proved to be not at all emaciated, though rather thin and without any subcutaneous fat. The stomach contained small sand-eels, some fresh, others partially digested. It was a male. The bird has been mounted, and is still in my possession.'
Forrest (1919) says: 'On 17th August, 1909, a male was knocked over by a boy with a stick on the Barmouth Golf Links. It was set up by Mr. F. C. Rawlings who showed it to me. The stomach contained Sand Eels recently taken. It was beginning to moult, the 6th to 9th primaries and two outer tail feathers being new. The specimen is now in the collection of Mr. R. W. Chase.'
Watson (2010) in detailing the R. W. Chase collection in the Birmingham Museum lists this specimen and quoting from his Notebooks adds that it was knocked down by a boy. Weight 5 oz., length from tip of bill to end of tail 16", wings from tip to tip extended 22.5". Toe nails long and deformed. Stomach contained sand eels recently taken. Stuffed by F. C. Rawlings of Barmouth from whom I purchased the specimen. Sternum preserved. Zoologist 1909, p. 438.
7). 1911 Sussex Black Rock, Brighton, adult female, moribund, 24th April, now at Booth Museum, Brighton (BoMNH 207623).
(W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 27: 95; A. F. Griffiths, British Birds 5: 81; N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 5: 119; Witherby, 1920-24; Walpole-Bond, 1938; Shrubb, 1979; James, 1996).
History W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1911) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXVII. p. 95, at the 168th Meeting of the Club held on 10th May 1911 at Pagani's Restaurant, London, says: 'Mr. A. F. Griffith exhibited a specimen of the Sooty Tern (Sterna fuliginosa) which had been captured to the east of Brighton on the 24th of April, 1911. It was observed under the cliff at Black Rock in an exhausted condition, and was captured by a man, who brought it to Messrs. Pratt, the taxidermists of Brighton. In the absence of Mr. Griffith it had been shown in the flesh to Dr. Langton. The bird was believed to be a female, but Mr. Pycraft, who had examined the body, was unable to determine the sex with certainty.'
Arthur F. Griffiths (1911) in British Birds, Vol. V. p. 81, says: 'On April 24th, 1911, a man named Hill saw a bird in difficulties on the rocks at Black Rock, just beyond the eastern boundary of Brighton. He ran after it and caught it, and brought it to Messrs. Pratt, the taxidermists, at Brighton, who recognized it as a Sooty Tern (Sterna fuliginosa).
It was in the last stage of exhaustion, but showed no outward signs of injury. Dr. Langton, M.B.O.U., saw it before it was skinned. Having been exhibited at the British Ornithologists' Club on May 10th, 1911, it was purchased for the Booth Museum, where I hope it will be on view shortly.'
N. F. Ticehurst (1911) in British Birds, Vol. V. p. 119, in a review of 'Catalogue of Cases of Birds in the Dyke Road Museum, Brighton. By E. T. Booth; with further notes by A. F. Griffith', says: 'The most important additions since the publication of the supplement, appear to be the...Sooty Tern from Brighton.'
Walpole-Bond (1938 (3): 260) says: '...it was acquired for the Booth Museum by Mr. A. F. Griffith.'
8). 1933 Cumbria Drigg Point, Ravenglass, adult, seen, late June.
(W. Marchant, Field 29th July 1933: 294, 721; Hutcheson, 1986).
History W. Marchant (1933) in The Field of 29th July, p. 294, says: 'I think it may be worth recording that an adult Sooty Tern has lately been seen with the Sandwich Terns and Black-headed Gulls at Ravenglass. There is no doubt that it is a Sooty Tern. It is practically black all over its back, head, wings and tail on the upper side, except the outer edges of the outside tail feathers, which are white. The underside is white, and the feet and beak are black. There is a white patch between the shoulders and the cheeks, and the bird is approximately the size of a Sandwich Tern. It is very tame and has several times flown within ten feet of me.'
9). 1935 Norfolk Blakeney Harbour, adult, seen, 11th September.
(J. Sladen Wing, British Birds 29: 187; Seago, 1977; Stoddart & Joyner, 2005).
History John Sladen Wing (1935) in British Birds, Vol. XXIX. p. 187, says: 'On September 11t h , 1935, as my wife and I were returning from Blakeney Point to Blakeney, by motor-boat, a Tern, unknown to us, flew in front of the boat, only a few yards off, and then flew by the side of the boat. What struck us, and the boatman, was the size of the bird. It was about as big as a Sandwich Tern. We noticed the white forehead and black band through lores and eyes. The under-parts were white; the upper-parts, bill and wings were black. We have since identified it, without doubt, at the British Museum, as an adult Sooty Tern (Sterna fuscata).'
10). 1939 Upper Forth Myot Hill, near Denny, Stirlingshire, moulting into second-winter, found dead, late May, photo, now at National Museums of Scotland (NMSZ 1939.45).
(J. Ritchie, British Birds 33: 197-198; Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Thom, 1986; P. R. Gordon & D. L. Clugston, Scottish Birds 18: 138; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007: photo).
History John Ritchie of the Museum, Perth (1939) in British Birds, Vol. XXXIII. pp. 197-198, says: 'A dead bird was found about the end of May, 1939, by Mr. Duncan, the fox hunter for Stirlingshire, on Myatt [sic] Hill, three miles from Denny, and was brought in the flesh to me by Master James Stirton of Perth, grandson of the finder.
Examination showed it to be about three or four days dead and suspecting it to be a Sooty Tern, I sent it, when set up, to Mr. H. F. Witherby, who confirmed my diagnosis and, after comparison with other specimens, sent me the following note: "The bird is in full moult, most of the feathers being new, but the two outer functional primaries are old and the next is a new one sprouting, the rest being newly grown. The tail-feathers are mostly new, but the outermost are old. There are a few old and very worn brown feathers on the upper-parts and wings amongst the new black feathers. I consider the old outer tail-feathers are of the juvenile plumage and that the bird was hatched last year and is moulting into its second winter plumage. The under-parts are white without any of the brown feathers of the juvenile plumage. The bird agrees in general with others of the typical form Sterna fuscata fuscata from the West Indies and Florida".
This specimen has been deposited in the collection of The Royal Scottish Museum, Edinburgh.'
NOT PROVEN
0). 1863 Yorkshire Scalby, Scarborough, shot, undated.
(Clarke & Roebuck, 1881).
[W. E. Clarke & W. D. Roebuck, Zoologist 1884: 180].
History Clarke & Roebuck (1881: 80) say: 'Scarborough, one in the collection of Mr. Edward Tindall, shot at Scalby in 1863 (Tindall, MS.).'
W. E. Clarke & W. D. Roebuck (1884) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VIII. p. 180, say: 'Sooty Tern. As suspected (Handbook, p. xxxvii), this specimen has proved to be a Black Tern.'
Comment Misidentified. Not acceptable.
0). 1869 Devon River Axe, near Axminster, undated.
(J. B. Selwood, Field 17th July 1869: 46; Harting, 1872).
[Harting, 1872; Not in BOU, 1971].
History J. B. Selwood of Shute Parsonage, Axminster (1869) in The Field of 17th July, Vol. XXXIV. p. 46, says: 'It is mentioned in The Field of June 26 that the appearance of the Sooty Tern is rare, and has only been noticed once. I think this must be from want of observation. In the marshy ground adjoining the estuary of the Axe it is during some seasons most common, appearing in flocks. I have one in my possession shot in 1865.
I suppose the bird I allude to is the same mentioned by Mr. Harting (Sterna fuliginosa of Latham and Wilson, Onychoprion fuliginosus of Gould).'
Comment Further details were unobtainable due to the death of the recorder, the Rev. Selwood. Probable misidentification. Not one of the counties mentioned by the BOU (1971). Not acceptable.
0). 1880-81 Essex Near Colchester, obtained, winter.
(C. R. Bree, Field 23rd Apr., 1881: 546; Christy, 1890; Glegg, 1929).
[BOU, 1971].
History C. R. Bree of Colchester (1881) in The Field of 23rd Apr., Vol. LVII. p. 546, under 'Birds taken in the neighbourhood of Colchester during the winter of 1880-81', says: '...Also Mr. A. [Ambrose] tells me that, in addition to the birds mentioned by me, he has during the last winter had the following sent him for preservation, all taken in the neighbourhood: Spotted Crake, Sooty Tern, Quail, Shoveller, Norfolk Plover, Rough-legged Buzzard, Ring Ouzel, Scoter Duck, Snow Bunting, Raven, Black Tern, Night Heron, Scaup Duck, Pintail, Great Crested Grebe, Dipper, Pochard, Great Grey Shrike.'
Christy (1890: 260) says: 'Dr. Bree records (Field) that, in the winter of 1880-81, one was killed near Colchester and preserved by Ambrose. The specimen is, however, now entirely lost sight of.'
Glegg (1929: 252) adds: '...Although the history of this specimen is not known, there seems no reason to doubt this record, remembering Dr. Bree's position in ornithology.'
Comment Not one of the accepted recorded counties in BOU (1971: 146). Not acceptable.
0). 1883 Isles of Scilly Tresco, seen, autumn.
(R. W. J. Smart, Transactions of the Penzance Natural History Society 1888: 177; J. Clark & F. R. Rodd, Zoologist 1906: 343; Penhallurick, 1969).
[BOU, 1971].
History R. W. J. Smart (1888) in the Transactions of the Penzance Natural History Society, p. 177, says: 'Mr. David Smith saw, in 1883, a Tern hawking over the fresh-water pool in Tresco. He had ample opportunity of observing it, and having previously shot the Black Tern, he pronounced the bird in question to be the Sooty Tern. This was after seeing the plates in Gould's Birds of Great Britain.'
J. Clark & F. R. Rodd (1906) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. X. p. 343, under 'The Birds of Scilly', say: 'In 1883, David Smith [keeper] saw a strange tern hawking flies over the ponds of Tresco. As he was barely convalescent after a severe illness, he asked a friend to shoot it, but the latter missed the bird, which flew off, and was never seen again. On being shown the plates in Gould, Smith promptly identified it as a Sooty Tern.'
Comment Not one of the accepted recorded counties in BOU (1971: 146). Not acceptable.
0). 1885 Herefordshire Marston, near Pembridge, picked up dead, May.
(Bull, 1888; Gilbert & Walker, 1954; Walker & Smith, 1975).
[BOU, 1971].
History Bull (1888: 239) says: 'Only two or three occurrences are recorded in England; but a specimen was picked up dead at Marston, near Pembridge, after stormy weather, in May, 1885. It was unfortunately placed in the hands of a local bird-stuffer who, to make it fit a small case, carefully cropped the longest primary feathers of each wing.'
Locally, Gilbert & Walker (1954) accept it as do Walker & Smith (1975) who ignore the BOU (1971) and publish it for Herefordshire.
Comment Not one of the accepted counties recorded by the BOU (1971: 146). Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1890 Yorkshire Rossington, shot, undated.
(H. H. Corbett, Naturalist 42: 77-78).
[Chislett, 1952; BOU, 1971].
History H. H. Corbett of Doncaster (1916) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. XLII. pp. 77-78, says: 'On the 21st of last Sept., while visiting a patient, Mr. Sanderson, of Doncaster, my attention was drawn to a stuffed bird in his house. On examining it I saw it was a Tern of a species unknown to me. Mr. Sanderson, said "If that is any use to you at the Museum, you can take it away with you".
This of course I did. On looking it up I saw that it was a Sooty Tern. The next time I saw Mr. Anderson I asked him whether he could give me any history of the bird, and he furnished the following details. G. Wiles, of Nelson Street, Doncaster, was a well-known poacher, who died about twenty-five years ago. Wiles shot the bird at Rossington, and had it stuffed by Blythe of Cleveland Street. Sometime later Wiles's poaching got him into trouble, and he was sentenced to a term of imprisonment 'with the option.' His wife, in order to raise funds to pay the fine, sold some cases of stuffed birds, and Sanderson bought two of them, one being the Sooty Tern, and the other, which he also gave me, containing two Redwings.
It does not seem likely that a dull coloured and inconspicuous bird, such as the Sooty Tern, would be sent home from "foreign parts" as a curiosity; neither is it probable that such a bird would be kept alive in an aviary and escape thence, and although the evidence is not conclusive, I think that the probability is great that we have here a genuine Yorkshire specimen of Sterna fuliginosa.'
Witherby (1924 (2): 720) does not record it in the accepted list nor in the rejected ones in a footnote. However, locally, Chislett (1952: 282) states that the record lacks adequate details.
Comment Not one of the accepted counties recorded by the BOU (1971: 146). Not acceptable.
0). 1896 Cleveland/Co. Durham/Yorkshire Teesmouth, Co. Durham, shot, autumn.
(R. G. Clayton, Proceedings of the Cleveland Naturalists' Field Club 1: 47).
[Stead, 1964; BOU, 1971; Bowey & Newsome, 2012].
History R. G. Clayton (1899) in the Proceedings of the Cleveland Naturalists' Field Club, Vol. I. p. 47, says: 'I have the following to mention: 1896....Other noticeable birds obtained in the Autumn were Sooty Tern (Sterna fuliginosa)...'
Not accepted locally for Cleveland (Stead 1964) or Co. Durham (Bowey & Newsome 2012).
0). 1914 Sussex Jury's Gap, two: male, shot, 9th April, female, shot, 10th April, both now at Leicester Arts & Museums (Acc. No. Z28.2006.86.7 & Z28.2006.86.8).
(J. B. Nichols, British Birds 9: 98; W. Ruskin Butterfield, Hastings & East Sussex Naturalist 2: 202; Walpole-Bond, 1938; A. H. J. Harrop, British Birds 111: 228-230).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History J. B. Nichols (1915) in British Birds, Vol. IX. p. 98, says: 'A male Sooty Tern (Sterna fuscata) was shot at Jury's Gap, Lydd, Kent, on April 9th, 1914, and I examined it in the flesh on April 11th. A female was also got at the same place on April 10th, 1914, and was examined in the flesh by Messrs. W. Ruskin Butterfield and H. W. Ford-Lindsay. These are the seventh and eighth recorded British specimens, and the first definite records for Kent.'
Walpole-Bond (1938 (3): 260) says: 'On the Kentish side.'
Comment Locality is in Sussex (Sussex Bird Report 1953: 5). Hastings rarities. Not acceptable.
0). 1915 Sussex St Leonards-on-Sea, male, obtained, 10th April, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1962Z10.396).
(Watson, 2010).
[KAN].
History Watson (2010) in detailing the J. L. Auden collection in the Birmingham Museum lists a male specimen that was obtained at St Leonards, Sussex, on 10th April 1915, adding that it was bought at Sir V. H. Crewe's sale.
Comment Crewe's specimens have been questioned before over their provenance and this record came to light 95 years after the event leaving it open to doubt. Not acceptable.
0). 1923 Carmarthenshire Llandovery, picked up alive, August or September.
(Ingram & Salmon, 1954).
[BOU, 1971; Lovegrove, Williams & Williams, 1994].
History Ingram & Salmon (1954) say: 'Picked up alive by W. J. Constable at Llandovery, in August or September, 1923, and released later.'
Comment Not one of the admitted recorded counties (BOU 1971: 146). Not acceptable.
0). 1935 Dorset Abbotsbury, two, adults, seen, 24th May.
(C. Saunders, British Birds 29: 86-87; F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 57: 99; Prendergast & Boys, 1983; Morrison, 1997; Green, 2004).
[F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 61: 163].
History Cyril Saunders (1935) in British Birds, Vol. XXIX. pp. 86-87, says: 'I visited Lord Ilchester's swannery (Abbotsbury) on May 24th, 1935, with two friends, and saw there a pair of adult Sooty Terns (Sterna fuscata). We had an excellent view of them at a distance of 70 to 100 yards, and used very strong binoculars so that they might have been practically in one's hands. They were sitting amongst a number of Common Terns (S. h. hirundo) and also four pairs of Roseates (S. d. dougallii), so that size comparison was facilitated. The keeper who was also present said that he had never seen these (Sooty) birds before, and neither had we. I realized at once that they were unusual and asked each member of the party (four) to observe and note most carefully - comparative size, markings, colour and shape of beak, colour of legs (feet were just covered by water), and any other characteristics which struck them.
On comparing notes we agreed over practically every point and then verified anything doubtful. Shortly afterwards we returned to my flat in Weymouth and checked our notes with your Practical Handbook, Vol. II. and also with Thorburn's large red volumes and a few other books. The U-shaped white mark on the forehead was conspicuous, of course, and the pointed beak, with its widened base, was easily noted. The birds were all sitting on a small sandbank - washing and preening themselves, as a small stream of fresh water runs in just there. The Sooties were about three or four yards apart, but stood out very distinctly.
On June 18th I went to the Natural History Museum to further verify the bird and saw one stuffed and handled three unmounted specimens. These confirmed my observations. I heard to-day (June 22nd) that the keeper had seen the Sooties once or twice since, but I doubt if they are still there.'
Admitted by F. L. Blathwayt (1936) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LVII. p. 99, in the Annual Report for 1935', but later (1940) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LXI. p. 163, under 'A Revised List of the Birds of Dorset', he placed the record in square-brackets, saying: 'Two, thought to be of this species.' However, it has been accepted locally (Morrison 1997: 97; Green 2004: 268).
Comment The U-shaped white marking on the forehead is hardly indicative of this species alone. Not acceptable.
0). 1935 Kent Dungeness, seen, 29th June.
(H. G. Alexander, British Birds 29: 187; R. Whitlock, South-Eastern Bird Report 1935: 72; Harrison, 1953).
[A. C. B. Henderson, Kent Bird Report 1984: 40].
History H. G. Alexander (1935) in British Birds, Vol. XXIX. p. 187, says: 'During the summer Mr. J. R. Tart, the chief watcher at Dungeness, wrote to tell me that he had watched a Sooty Tern (Sterna fuscata) on the Dungeness ternery on June 29th, 1935.
He has since given me the following particulars: - The bird was first seen coming over from the north, across the ternery; the Common Terns mobbed it as it passed across, It went on to the sea and disappeared behind the shingle-bank. Half-an-hour later it reappeared from the west and flew along the coast eastwards towards Dungeness point, fishing as it moved along. Mr. Tart saw its very dark upper plumage and light underside; he noted that it was larger than the Common Terns, but with a shorter tail and a slower wing beat. He is very familiar with all the Terns that normally visit Britain. He saw a Sooty Tern at Dungeness once before, many years ago.'
Whitlock (1935) in the South-Eastern Bird Report quotes from British Birds.
Comment Unacceptable to Kent Ornithological Society who consider the 1984 record there the first for the county.
0). 1943 Dorset Poole Harbour, seen, 30th August.
(A. C. Coles, Field 11th Dec., 1943: 617; Eds., British Birds 38: 58-59; F. L. Blathwayt, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 67: 122; Boys, 1973; Morrison, 1997).
[Green, 2004].
History In an Editorial (1944) in British Birds, Vol. XXXVIII. p. 58, they say: 'In The Field, Dec. 11, 1943, p. 617, Dr. A. C. Coles describes a Sooty Tern (Sterna f. fuscata) seen under excellent conditions at Sandbanks, Poole Harbour, on August 30th, 1943. It was watched with powerful glasses from a car for about three-quarters of an hour while resting on the sands and was afterwards seen in flight. The identity of the bird is clearly established by the careful description, of which the main points are: - "about the size of a Sandwich Tern: forehead white, crown, nape and line through the eye deep black, upper parts and wing black, tail black, but outer tail feathers white, the whole of the underparts white, legs and bill black". We have, moreover, been in direct touch with Dr. Coles and are fully satisfied with the record.'
Admitted by F. L. Blathwayt (1946) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LXVII. p. 122, under 'A Revised List of Birds of Dorset'.
Boys (1973: 38) says: 'One in Poole Harbour on 30th August, 1943, in an undocumented report in The Field.
Accepted locally (Morrison 1997: 97), but in the latest county avifauna it is unacceptable (Green 2004).
0). 1951 Cornwall Porthkidney, Lelant, 31st July.
(B. H. Ryves, A. G. Parsons & H. M. Quick, Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report 1951: 24; Eds., British Birds 46: 145; Penhallurick, 1969).
[D. I. M. Wallace, C. Bradshaw & M. J. Rogers, British Birds 99: 463].
History B. H. Ryves, A. G. Parsons & H. M. Quick (1951) in the Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report, Vol. XXI. p. 24, say: 'On 31st July, we were on Porthkidney sands when we heard a loud and unfamiliar note from a bird which was coming towards us. It approached to about 100 yards and then turned around and flew eastward over the Towans, gaining height till it was lost to view, still uttering its clamour, which was of surprising volume.
The bird was black above and white below and had a long tail. It had a good deal of white on the front part of the head, which was otherwise black. In size it seemed definitely larger than Common or Arctic Tern, approaching that of the Sandwich Tern, though a less bulky bird. We did not see its tail as deeply forked, but from the angles of view this would not be easily seen. Both bird and note were quite unknown to us. From the field characteristics it would appear to be a Sooty Tern. R.H.B., A.G.P.' It was accepted locally (Penhallurick 1969).
D. I. M. Wallace, C. Bradshaw & M. J. Rogers (2006) in British Birds, Vol. XCIX. p. 463, in a review of certain rarities during the period 1950-57, found this record to be unacceptable.
0). 1954 Orkney Hill of Isbister, Rendall, Mainland, 22nd April.
(E. Balfour, Scottish Naturalist 66: 190-191; E. V. Baxter, Scottish Naturalist 68: 6; Thom, 1986).
[D. I. M. Wallace, C. Bradshaw & M. J. Rogers, British Birds 99: 463].
History E. Balfour of Mill of Isbister, Rendall (1954) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LXVI. pp. 190-191, says: 'On the morning of 22nd April 1954 I had the remarkable experience of having an undoubted Sooty Tern standing on the ground within 20 yards of me, between our house and the Loch of Brockan.
The upper parts were black except for a white patch across the forehead, and the under parts were white. The bill which was blackish looked rather long for a tern. The tail was very deeply forked. It looked bigger than either Arctic or Common Terns, but was perhaps rather less than a Black-headed Gull.
It was standing almost head-on to me, and remained for about twenty seconds; it then took off, and flew quite strongly towards the sea, but was quickly lost in the glare of the sun. I did not have my binoculars with me at the time. The bird was near a stream, and about a quarter of a mile from the sea.'
[There is only one previous record of the Sooty Tern in Scotland, in Stirlingshire in May 1939. The bird seen by Mr. Balfour, at such close quarters as to render the use of binoculars unnecessary, and at rest on the ground, could scarcely have been confused with any other species except possibly the Bridled Tern (S. anaethetus), which is smaller, somewhat greyer and less black above, and has a light collar. Mr. Balfour writes: "I did, at the time, consider the possibility of it being a Bridled Tern, but soon became satisfied that the bird was a Sooty. It was viewed in very good light, and its upper parts (head, neck, mantle and tail) could only be described as being black. There was no suggestion of a whitish or pale collar". We think there can be very little doubt that the identification is correct. - Eds.]
Admitted as the second record for Scotland by E. V. Baxter (1956) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LXVIII. p. 6, under 'Review of Ornithological Changes in Scotland in 1954'.
D. I. M. Wallace, C. Bradshaw & M. J. Rogers (2006) in British Birds, Vol. XCIX. p. 463, in a review of certain rarities during the period 1950-57, found this record to be unacceptable.
