White-winged Tern

Laridae

Sep 25

Written By Keith Naylor

Chlidonias leucopterus (Temminck, 1815) (62, 19)

Photo © Rob Stonehouse

Ex BBRC species 31/12/2005

STATUS

Palearctic. Monotypic.

OVERVIEW

This scarce vagrant is mainly a spring and early summer visitor.

Formerly known as White-winged Black Tern.

RECORDS

1). 1853 Norfolk Horsey Mere, adult, shot, 17th May.

(G. Frederick, Zoologist 1853: 3911; Newman, 1866; H. Stevenson, Zoologist 1867: 951; H. Stevenson, Zoologist 1871: 2829-30; Harting, 1872; Southwell, 1890; Patterson, 1905; BOURC (2005), Ibis 147: 246-250).

History George Frederick (1853) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XI. p. 3911, dated 23rd May, 1853, says: 'This bird was killed on the 17th instant, by Mr. Rising's keeper, at Horsey, near Yarmouth. Three or four of the Black Tern were killed at the same time with it.'

[I have seen this bird in the flesh, and can state therefore that it is an example of the White-winged Black Tern - W. Yarrell.]

H. Stevenson of Norwich (1867) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. II. p. 951, dated 17th September 1867, says: '...The only other example known to have visited our coast was shot at Horsey, an adjoining broad to Hickling, on the 17th of May, 1853, and is now in the possession of Mr. Robert Rising: this bird was killed out of a flock of the common Black Tern.'

H. Stevenson (1871) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. VI. pp. 2829-30, adds: 'One on Horsey Mere, on the 17th of May, 1853, which, with a companion, was observed in company with a small flock of Black Terns.'

Southwell, Editor (1890 (3): 317) in Stevenson's Birds of Norfolk, says: 'It passed into the possession of the late Mr. Rising, of Horsey, by whose keeper it was killed. At the dispersal of that gentleman's collection it was purchased by the late Mr. William Jary. From the information given to Mr. Rising, it appears probable that two of these birds were associating with ordinary Black Terns, but his keeper supposing it to be merely a variety, and having killed five of the commoner species, did not shoot the other although he had every opportunity of doing so. The 17th of May is the date usually assigned for this occurrence, but in Mr. Rising's own note, in his copy of Yarrell, from which I gather the above particulars, the 18th is the day mentioned.'

Comment In a review of the species it was found to be still acceptable as the first for Britain (BOURC (2005) Ibis 147: 246-250).

2). 1860 Yorkshire Scalby Mills, Scarborough, shot, undated.

(Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; Yarrell, 1871-85; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).

History Clarke & Roebuck (1881: 80) say: 'Scarborough, one shot in 1860 is now in the collection of Mr. Edward Tindall (Tindall, MS.).'

Admitted by Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 522-523, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.

Locally, Nelson (1907) (2): 650) says: 'The first was obtained in 1860, near Scalby Mills, Scarborough (Tindall MS.), and formed part of the collection of the late Ed. Tindall, which is now in the Scarborough Philosophical Society's Museum.'

3). 1867 Norfolk Hickling Broad, adult male, obtained, 27th June, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1954Z1.655).

(H. Stevenson, Zoologist 1867: 951; H. Stevenson, Zoologist 1871: 2829-30; Harting, 1872; Yarrell, 1871-85; Southwell, 1890; Watson, 2010).

History Stevenson of Norwich (1867) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. II. p. 951, dated 17th September, 1867, says: 'I had lately the great good fortune to secure for my collection a very beautiful adult male of this rare species, which had been shot on Hickling Broad on the 27th of June. The only other example known to have visited our coast was shot at Horsey, an adjoining broad to Hickling, on the 17th of May, 1853, and is now in the possession of Mr. Robert Rising: this bird was killed out of a flock of the common Black Tern; and my own, I have little doubt, arrived in like company, as both broads and meres this last spring were visited by somewhat unusual number of Black Terns, now no longer nesting in Norfolk.'

Admitted by Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 523, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.

Southwell, Editor (1890 (3): 317) in Stevenson's Birds of Norfolk, says: 'This bird was purchased by Mr. Stevenson, and at the sale of his collection was acquired by Mr. Connop.'

Watson (2010) in detailing the W. R. Lysaght collection in the Birmingham Museum lists a male specimen from Hickling Broad, Norfolk, obtained 27th June 1867, adding that it was sold from the collection of Henry Stevenson of Scoulton, Norfolk, either on 12th September 1887 or 21st March 1889.

4). 1869 Cleveland/Co. Durham Port Clarence, Co. Durham, adult, shot, 15th May, now at Great North Museum: Hancock, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

(Hancock, 1874; Gurney, 1876; Yarrell, 1871-85; J. T. T. Reed, Naturalist 1887 (12): 77; Howse, 1899; Nelson, 1907; Temperley, 1951).

History Hancock (1874: 143-144) says: 'This is a rare casual visitant, only a single example having been taken in the district. This I obtained from the collection of Mr. Oxley, of Redcar, in April 1871. It is a very fine adult bird and was shot on the 15th of May (year unknown) at Port Clarence, Tees mouth.'

Admitted by Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 523, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.

J. T. T. Reed (1887) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. XIII. p. 77, under 'Local Specimens of Rare Birds in the Museum at Newcastle-on-Tyne', says: 'White-winged Black Tern. Clarence, mouth of the Tees; shot on marsh. Mature bird. Purchased at Mr. Oxley's sale at Redcar, 1871.'

Howse (1899: 107) in his Index-Catalogue of the Birds in the Hancock Collection, says: 'Case 57. No. 2 (centre). Mature. Shot on the Marsh at Clarence, mouth of the Tees, May 15th. Bought at Mr. Oxley's sale, Redcar, April, 1871.'

Nelson (1907 (2): 650) in a footnote, adds: 'The example, now in the Newcastle Museum, which was purchased at the sale of Mr. Oxley's collection at Redcar, in 1871 (Naturalist, 1887: 77) was killed by G. Mussel in the marsh at Port Clarence on the north side of the Tees on 15th May, 1869.'

5). 1870 Devon Ilfracombe, shot, 2nd or 3rd November.

(Harting, 1872; Yarrell, 1871-85; D'Urban & Mathew, 1892; Moore, 1969).

History Harting (1872: 169) says: 'One, Ilfracombe Harbour, 2nd or 4th Nov. 1870. H. Saunders, MS. In the collection of Mr. Westlake, of Ilfracombe.'

Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 523, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'A specimen in a very interesting state of change from summer to winter plumage is in the collection of Mr. Westlake of Ilfracombe, North Devon, shot there early in November, 1870.'

D'Urban & Mathew (1892: 365) add: 'One, in full moult, which we have examined, was shot in the harbour at Ilfracombe on 2nd or 3rd Nov. 1870, and is in the collection of Mr. Westlake of that town (Harting, Handbook B. Birds, p. 169; H. Saunders, Yarrell's B. Birds, 4th ed. III. p. 523).'

6). 1871 Norfolk Breydon Water, five, seen, two males and two females shot, 26th May, the four now at the Booth Museum, Brighton.

(H. Stevenson, Zoologist 1871: 2830; H. Stevenson, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 1: 64; Booth, 1876; Yarrell, 1871-85; Booth, 1881-87; Southwell, 1890; Booth, 1901; Patterson, 1907; Allard, 1990; Piotrowski, 2003).

History H. Stevenson of Norwich (1871) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. VI. p. 2830, says: 'I have now to record the occurrence, on the 26th of May, on Breydon, near Yarmouth, of a flock of five White-winged Black Terns, of which four, settling on the "muds", were killed at one shot. The odd bird did not come within range, and was not seen again, but two birds had been observed on the same water two days before.

The four specimens thus procured were sent, in the flesh, to Mr. Gunn, of this city, and proved on dissection, to be two males and two females, in full summer plumage. The two males are perfect, and its plumage resemble my own specimen, as figured by Yarrell, in his Birds of Great Britain. I was struck, however, with a marked difference in the female, although the above author states that both sexes are alike, viz., that the tail-feathers, which in the adult male are pure white, in the female are light grey, and the feathers on the back are lighter in tint than in the male. Both females have a few white feathers on the neck and breast, and the under parts generally, though of the same greenish black hue, are less glossy than in the males.'

H. Stevenson (1869-73) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. I. p. 64, says: 'On the 26th of May, 1871, a flock of five White-winged Black Terns were observed settling on the "muds" of Breydon, near Yarmouth, of which four were killed at one shot. The odd bird did not come within range, and was not seen again, but two had been remarked on the same water a day or so before. Of the four specimens thus procured two proved to be males and two females, in full summer plumage.

So rarely has this tern occurred in this country that Yarrell records but one example, an adult male, shot amongst some common Black Terns, on the Shannon, in 1841; it has, however, in two other instances, since that date, been killed in this county, one on Horsey Mere, May 17th, 1853, and one on Hickling Broad, June 27th, 1867, both adult birds.'

Booth (1876: 161-162) says: 'At the time the birds in the case were killed, I had but little opportunity for observing their habits. I first caught sight of them while fishing in the channels on Breydon flats, before it was fairly light, during a heavy storm. After following them some time they all settled on a mudbank, appearing to be attracted by a pair or two of fine old Grey Plovers which were resting there, and, happening to alight at the moment I came within gunshot, the whole were obtained at one discharge.

The birds were shot after a most tempestuous night, early in the morning of the 26th of May, 1871, on Breydon mudflats.'

Admitted by Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 523, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.

Booth (1881-87 (3): unpaged) says: 'A few abridged extracts from my notes for 1871, 1872, and 1873 will impart all the knowledge concerning the habits of these birds that I am enabled to give. In 1871 these Terns were seen on Breydon mudflats, and a couple of years later on Hickling Broad.

May 26, 1871. After a heavy thunderstorm over the town (Yarmouth) during the night, the morning broke exceedingly dull and overcast, rain falling heavily. There was just sufficient light on reaching the 'lumps' in the gunning-punt to make out five Terns pitching in the channel above us; though the birds did not approach within range, a closer view which was obtained of one of their number led to the belief that the whole were White-winged Black Terns.

As the daylight increased they worked further up the flats, and finally four settled between two brightly plumaged Grey Plovers sitting about six feet apart at the side of 'Bessie’s drain'. From the sudden manner in which the birds wheeled round and alighted, it is probable they were attracted by the conspicuous colouring of the Plovers, their black breasts with the edging of white corresponding almost precisely with their own appearance. Though one remained hovering overhead, the four happened to have settled so conveniently at the moment we came within range, setting slowly up the drain with the flood-tide, that the chance was not to he lost, and the whole party were secured by a charge of small shot from the big gun. The remaining bird circled round for a time at a great height, evidently reluctant to leave its companions, but eventually darted off towards the north-east, where a flock of waders, disturbed by the shot, were wheeling over the flats.

The specimens secured proved to be two males and two females, in the finest summer plumage. Possibly the storms of the previous night may have carried these birds out of their usual course, though it is highly probable that stragglers visit our shores more frequently than is supposed. One was seen two days previously flying, in company with a small party of Common Terns, across the flats; though the decoys (which seldom prove of use in spring) were flung up, they continued on their course, passing away towards the north-east.

When first observed, these Terns were plunging down headlong in the channel, apparently in pursuit of prey, though owing to the imperfect light it was almost impossible for them to have discerned any small fish. Black Terns in spring frequently, while on wing, take an insect from the water, but I do not remember to have watched them darting down and seeking food below the surface; this action repeatedly performed first attracted notice and led to their identification.'

Southwell, Editor (1890) in Stevenson's Birds of Norfolk, Vol. III. p. 317, says: 'The two males were in perfect breeding plumage, but Mr. Stevenson, who examined them in the flesh, states that the females presented a marked difference in appearance; the tail feathers, which in the adult males are pure white, were in the females light grey, and the feathers on the back lighter in tint than in the males.'

Booth (1901: 171, 3rd ed.) says: 'At the time the birds in the case [No. 248] were killed I had but little opportunity for observing their habits. I first caught sight of them while fishing in the channels on Breydon flats, before it was fairly light, during a heavy storm. After following them some time they all settled on a mudbank, appearing to be attracted by a pair or two of fine old Grey Plovers which were resting there, and happening to alight at the moment I came within gunshot, the whole were obtained at one discharge. In the grey of the morning I at first mistook them for Black Terns, and was surprised to notice them pitching in the water for food like the Common or Arctic Tern; the Black usually feeding on insects which it captures over the water in the same manner as the Sand Martin. The birds were shot after a most tempestuous night early in the morning of the 26th of May, 1871, on Breydon mudflats.'

Patterson (1907: 108) says: 'Booth was the first to detect the White-winged Black Tern on Breydon. Harmer says he saw Mr. Booth shoot four of them, "all at one discharge...at 3 a.m., on May 26th, 1871; where, seven years later, on May 8th, two Gull-billed Terns were also obtained".'

Accepted locally for Suffolk (Ticehurst 1932: 426; Piotrowski 2003), but 'Bessie's drain' is on the north side of the channel in Norfolk.

Comment They are now in the Booth Collection at the Booth Museum, Brighton.

11). 1873 Norfolk Hickling Broad, seven seen, six killed, 28th May.

(H. Stevenson, Zoologist 1873: 3712; H. Stevenson, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 1: 117; Booth, 1876; Yarrell, 1871-85; Booth, 1881-87; Southwell, 1890; Booth, 1901).

History Henry Stevenson of Norwich (1873) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. VIII. p. 3712, says: 'May, 1873. White-winged Black Terns. Of this species, no longer a rarity, at least in the county, five specimens were killed out of seven, at Hickling, near Yarmouth, on the 30th, and several more are said to have been seen.'

Henry Stevenson (1869) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. I. p. 81, says: 'Of this species, until lately one of the rarest terns in the British List, five specimens were killed out of a flock of seven, at Hickling, near Yarmouth, on the 30th May, and several more were said to have been seen.'

Admitted by Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 523, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, who adds that "six were killed".

Booth (1876: 163-164) says: 'The five Terns in the present case formed part of a flock of seven that I met with on Hickling Broad. They were first observed hawking for flies over the water in company with the Sand Martins, and having previously obtained as many as I required as specimens, I had a good opportunity of watching their habits. They appeared quite fearless, occasionally approaching and hovering within a few feet of the boat; though the water was shallow and small fry abundant they never attempted to capture a single fish, frequenting only those parts of the Broad where the Sand Martins were seen, both species taking their food in precisely the same manner. Toward dusk, as I found the Martins were leaving, I rapidly procured the Terns, the sixth falling dead to a long shot in the middle of a reed-bed where it was useless to search, and the seventh after having for some minutes complacently watched the slaughter of his companions took his departure without offering a chance. On the following days there were again small flocks on the Broads, those seen latest appearing to be younger birds, their breasts being strongly marked with white. While the weather was cold and windy they pursued their course straight away to the north-east; those however that were seen when the sun had brought out the insects and Sand Martins remained for some hours hawking over the water. The specimens in the case [No. 251] were shot on Hickling Broad on the 28th May, 1873.' Further, in a footnote, he adds: 'In the immature bird the breast is white.'

Booth (1881-87 (3): unpaged) says: 'May 28, 1873. Wind north and cold. Having heard that several 'Dars', whose description answered exactly for this species, had been noticed for the last four or five days frequenting Hickling Broad, I rowed round the water in search of the strangers. The keeper who gave me the information stated that in his fifty years experience of the Broad he had seen nothing like them before; as the man was a good authority on all the native fowl, waders, and sea-birds, it is probable that their visits to this locality were unfrequent [sic]. I had not pulled above a quarter of a mile when a fine old male was detected hovering round the edges of the hills, and a few hours later a party of six or seven were met with flying over the Broad. Thousands of Sand-Martins skimmed hither and thither across the surface of the water, darting at the insects, and the Terns, immediately joining a large swarm, continued in their company for some time. In no single instance did I see them dash into the water as observed on Breydon, and in all probability food is only procured in this manner on salt water; during the whole of the afternoon they remained hawking for insects in precisely the same manner as the Martins. After watching their actions for some hours, several of their number often approaching and sweeping round the punt within the distance of three or four yards, I procured without difficulty as many specimens as were needed. On the following day several small parties came in view beating to windward over the Broad, a fresh breeze from the north-east was blowing, and after a few turns they worked away in the face of the gale, the wind being too strong for the insects to show themselves, the Martins were absent during the whole of the day. Three or four of the birds seen towards evening were more strongly marked on the breast with white than those previously observed; these doubtless exhibited some of the more immature stages of plumage.'

Comment Two days variation when shot.

18). 1882 Isles of Scilly Great Pool, Tresco, adult, shot, 14th May, now at Isles of Scilly Museum.

(T. Cornish, Zoologist 1882: 235; Yarrell, 1871-85; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1887: 388; J. Clark & F. R. Rodd, Zoologist 1906: 342; Penhallurick, 1969).

History Thomas Cornish of Penzance (1882) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VI. p. 235, says: 'A specimen of this rare Tern has lately been taken at Scilly, and is now with Mr. W. H. Vingoe for preservation. So far as I can ascertain this is the first recorded occasion of its capture either at Scilly or in Cornwall.'

Admitted by Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 523, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.

J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1887) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XI. p. 388, says: '...but it has since occurred both in Cornwall and Scilly. On May 14th, 1882, an adult bird of this species was shot on the Long Pool at Tresco, and is now in Mr. Dorrien Smith's collection at the Abbey, where it is shown with the rest of his collection to visitors on application.'

J. Clark & F. R. Rodd (1906) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. X. p. 342, under 'The Birds of Scilly', say: 'A White-winged Black Tern in full plumage was shot by David Smith on the Long Pool, Tresco, on May 14th, 1882, and, is in the Abbey collection.'

19). 1883 Dorset River Stour, Christchurch, shot, 2nd May, now at Hampshire County Museum, Chilcomb House, Winchester.

(Kelsall & Munn, 1905; Morrison, 1997; Clark, 2022).

History Kelsall & Munn (1905: 327) say: 'Mr. Hart possesses a specimen procured on May 2nd, 1883, and has remarked on their always appearing on a certain reach of the Avon at Christchurch.'

Accepted locally (Morrison 1997: 98).

20). 1883 Dorset Barling Lake, Avon Valley, shot, 3rd May, now at Hampshire County Museum, Chilcomb House, Winchester.

(Kelsall & Munn, 1905; Morrison, 1997; Hart MS.; Clark, 2022).

History Kelsall & Munn (1905: 327) say: 'Mr. Hart possesses a specimen procured on May 3rd, 1883, and has remarked on their always appearing on a certain reach of the Avon at Christchurch.'

Accepted locally (Morrison 1997: 98).

21). 1883 Norfolk Barton Broad, two, seen, 8th June; probably same, Hickling Broad, adult male, shot, 10th June, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1924Z18.4436).

(R. W. Chase, Zoologist 1883: 341; Yarrell, 1871-85; H. Stevenson, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 4: 132; H. Stevenson, Zoologist 1885: 326-327; Southwell, 1890; Watson, 2010).

History R. W. Chase of Edgbaston, Birmingham (1883) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. VII. p. 341, says: 'A specimen of this rare Tern, Hydrochelidon leucoptera, was forwarded to me, in the flesh, by Mr. G. Smith, The Priory, Yarmouth, which was shot on one of the Broads on June 10th. The bird proved a male, and is in full adult summer plumage, except one or two feathers in the tail, which are still grey. I believe another was seen at the same time.'

Admitted by Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 523, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, who adds: 'One of a pair was shot in the same locality [Hickling Broad].'

Henry Stevenson (1885) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. IV. p. 132, and in The Zoologist, 3rd series. Vol. IX. pp. 326-327, says: 'June [1883]. Mr. B. C. Silcock informed me that when sailing on Barton Broad on the 8th, he had the rare pleasure of watching a pair of these birds hovering over the water, and occasionally settling on a post. On the 10th, a male of this species, and no doubt one of the pair, was shot from a post on Hickling Broad. It was alone at the time. When fresh killed the bill is said to have brown with a tinge of lake-red at the gape of the mandibles, irides hair-brown, feet and legs bright orange-red.'

Accepted by Southwell, Editor (1890 (3): 317-318) in Stevenson's Birds of Norfolk.

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 shot by C. Bensley from a post. Received in the flesh. Vide Nor. & Norw. Nat. Hist. Trans. Vol. IV. p. 409; Zoologist 1883, p. 341.

Comment Mr. George Smith was a well known dealer at Yarmouth; most of the records he has been involved with being rejected.

23). 1884 Warwickshire Welford-on-Avon, adult, shot, 8th May.

(Mellersh, 1902; Tomes, 1904; Norris, 1947; Harrison et al., 1982).

History Tomes (1904 (1): 205) in the Victoria County History of Warwickshire, says: 'One of these birds was shot while flying over the Avon near Welford on 8 May, 1884. The stream at that place divides the counties of Warwick and Gloucester. The specimen was in adult plumage, but the sex could not be determined.'

Norris (1947: 70) says: 'There are three records of this species for Warwickshire and there seems no room for doubt with any of them. On 8th May, 1884, one was shot by Bayliss at Welford-on-Avon. It is an adult, and was in the collection of R. F. Tomes'

Comment Not mentioned by Swaine (1982) for Gloucestershire.

24). 1886 Hampshire Avon Tyrrell, shot, 18th May, now at Hampshire Cultural Trust, Chilcomb House, Winchester.

(Kelsall & Munn, 1905; Morrison, 1997; Hart MS.; Clark, 2022).

History Kelsall & Munn (1905: 327) say: 'Mr. Hart possesses a specimen procured on May 18th, 1886, and has remarked on their always appearing on a certain reach of the Avon at Christchurch.'

Accepted locally (Morrison 1997: 98; Clark 2022).

25). 1887 Norfolk/Suffolk Burgh, Breydon Water, immature, shot, 23rd August, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1954Z1.656).

(Southwell, 1890; Ticehurst, 1932; Allard, 1990; Piotrowski, 2003; Watson, 2010).

History Southwell, Editor (1890 (3): 318) in Stevenson's Birds of Norfolk, says: 'Lastly, Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., recently recognised a young bird of this species in the shop of Mr. Lowne, of Yarmouth, which was killed on Breydon in 1888, and is now in the collection of Mr. W. W. Spelman, of Brundall, who purchased it of Mr. Lowne. Mr. Gurney's determination of the species was confirmed by Mr. Howard Saunders.'

Ticehurst (1932: 426) says: 'An immature, Burgh end of Breydon, 23rd August, 1887 (Connop collection).'

Watson (2010) in detailing the W. R. Lysaght collection in the Birmingham Museum lists a specimen from Hickling Broad, Norfolk, obtained 23rd August 1887, adding it was sold from the Collection of Mr. W. W. Spelman, of Brundall, Norfolk.

Comment Same date but different locations! Presumed one and the same. If its the latter it is solely a Norfolk record.

26). 1887 Cornwall Sennen, immature, shot, undated.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1887: 387-388; J. Clark, Journal of the Royal Institution of Cornwall 15: 222; Penhallurick, 1969).

History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1887) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XI. pp. 387-388, says: 'Allusion has been made to the difficulty of distinguishing between the young of the Black Tern, Sterna fissipes, and the White-winged Tern, S. leucoptera. Among several of the former, at Mr. W. H. Vingoe's at Penzance, I saw one which presented characters which led me to think it could not be of that species, and I am glad to say that on being submitted to Mr. Howard Saunders he had decided it to be a White-winged Tern. It was shot at Sennen, in Cornwall. When Mr. Harting edited the late Mr. Rodd's work on the Birds of Cornwall, the White-winged Tern had not been identified as a Cornish bird; but it has since occurred both in Cornwall and Scilly.'

J. Clark (1902) in the Journal of the Royal Institution of Cornwall, Vol. XV. p. 222, under 'The Birds of Cornwall', says: 'In 1887, from Sennen.'

27). 1889 Wiltshire Near Salisbury, five, seen, 30th April.

(A. P. Morres, Zoologist 1889: 393; Wiltshire Ornithological Society, 2007).

History Arthur P. Morres of Britford Vicarage, Salisbury (1889) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XIII. p. 393, says: 'On the 30th April last I saw in our meadows at Britford, Salisbury, five specimens of the White-winged Black Tern, H. leucoptera. They came within twenty yards of me, and the white tail and shoulders of the wing were distinctly discernible. They were evidently on their migration, and followed the course of the river towards Christchurch, where Mr. Hart generally sees a few of them in the early spring. I saw him the following week, and he said he had been looking out for them for the previous day or two. He has some nice Christchurch specimens.'

Wiltshire Ornithological Society (2007: 430) state his description to be diagnostic and that he was a respected ornithologist being held in high esteem by A. C. Smith.

32). 1889 Sussex The Midrips, shot, June, now at Maidstone Museum.

(Borrer, 1960).

History Borrer (1960) in the Catalogue of the Guy Mannering collection of British Birds in the Maidstone Museum lists one at the Midrips, Kent (now Sussex), June, 1889).

Comment Locality is in Sussex (Sussex Bird Report 1953: 5). Mannering killed and stuffed his own bird collection.

33). 1891 East Glamorgan Cardiff, two, adults, one shot, March.

(Cardiff Naturalists' Society, Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society 31: 33; T. W. Proger & D. R. Paterson, Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society 1910: 42; Lovegrove, Williams & Williams, 1994; Hurford & Lansdown, 1995).

History Cardiff Naturalists' Society (1900) in the Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society, Vol. XXXI. p. 33, say: 'In March, 1891, two of these birds in adult plumage appeared on a pond on the Penarth Road, where the County Brewery now stands. One was shot by a railway porter, who has it still in his possession.'

T. W. Proger & D. R. Paterson (1910) in the Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society, Vol. XLIII. p. 42, say: '...The first was obtained locally in March, 1891, and is recorded in the Birds of Glamorgan.'

Accepted nationally for Wales as two individuals (Lovegrove, Williams & Williams 1994).

Hurford & Lansdown (1995) however, state the date as 25th May 1891 without a correction to the original.

35). 1891 Kent/Sussex The Wicks/Midrips, two, seen, 30th May.

(Ticehurst, 1909; Walpole-Bond, 1938; Taylor, Davenport & Flegg, 1981; James, 1996).

History Ticehurst (1909: 492) says: 'Colonel Willughby Verner, who of course knows this species well, tells me that while he was lying up on Wicks Wall, close to the "Midrips", on May 30th, 1891, a pair of White-winged Black Terns passed him several times, and their plumage was most conspicuous as they flew up and down fishing in the pool.'

Walpole-Bond (1938 (3): 244) says: 'May now be mentioned en passant a pair of "White-wings" seen by Colonel W. Verner on May 30th, 1891, near the "Midrips", at Jury Gap, which at that point forms the line of demarcation between the counties of Kent and Sussex. That this couple were observed in Kent there is no question. But at the same time there is not much doubt that they had been in Sussex previously or that they went there afterwards.'

37). 1893 Norfolk Hickling Broad, seen, 5th May.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1894: 86).

History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Norwich (1894) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XVIII. p. 86, says: 'The Rev. Maurice N. Bird reported, through Mr. Southwell...a White-winged Black Tern on May 5th.'

38). 1896 Norfolk/Suffolk Breydon Water, adult male, killed, 12th August.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1897: 130-131; Patterson, 1905; Ticehurst, 1932; Allard, 1990; Piotrowski, 2003).

History J. H. Gurney, jun. (1897) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. I. pp. 130-131, says: 'August 12th. N.W. in the morning. A White-winged Tern shot on Breydon Broad. This bird, which was exhibited at the Naturalists' meeting, and is now in the collection of Mr. B. Dye, is an old male passing from its summer to its winter plumage, the nape and occiput being mottled with black, and the grey feathers of the back blotched with new black ones. The White-winged Tern, which one is tempted to think might, like the Spoonbill, establish itself with protection, is not, oddly enough, included in Gätke's Birds of Heligoland.'

Patterson (1905) says: 'An immature example obtained on Breydon, on 12th August 1896, is now in the possession of Mr. B. Dye, is described by Mr. J. H. Gurney as being in a most interesting change of plumage.'

Accepted locally for Suffolk (Ticehurst 1932: 426; Piotrowski 2003).

39). 1896 Yorkshire Scalby Ness, Scarborough, immature, shot, 26th September.

(W. J. Clarke, Zoologist 1896: 387; Mather, 1986).

History W. J. Clarke of Scarborough (1896) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XX. p. 387, says: 'On Sept. 26th a strange sea-swallow was brought to me by a shore-shooter, who had shot it at Scalby Ness, a little to the north of the town. It turned out to be an immature White-winged Black Tern, in very nice condition. On dissection the stomach proved to be full of large maggots; the sex was indistinguishable.'

Accepted locally (Nelson 1907 (2): 650; Mather 1986).

40). 1909 Warwickshire Packington, seen, 8th May.

(A. G. Leigh, British Birds 3: 168-169; Norris, 1947; Harrison et al., 1982).

History A. G. Leigh (1909) in British Birds, Vol. III. pp. 168-169, says: 'Knowing that the White-winged Black Tern (Hydrochdidon leucoptera) is an extremely rare visitor to the Midlands, it is with a certain amount of diffidence that I record a bird, I think undoubtedly belonging to this species, which appeared at Packington on May 8th, 1909.

When I first saw the bird it was accompanied by a Black Tern (H. nigra), and I was at once struck by the lightness of its wings, as they hawked together over the pool. As I watched them the lighter-winged bird settled on a post rising above the water less than ten yards from where I stood, and I could plainly see that the carpal joint was pure white, this colour shading into the dark grey of the wing. After a short rest the bird raised its wings and a few seconds later flew from the stump, and during the time that its back and tail were visible I could see that the tail, tail-coverts and lower rump were pure white. As I am not aware that in any stage of its plumage the Black Tern has the tail, tail-coverts and carpal joints white, I think there can be no doubt that the bird was H. leucoptera.'

Norris (1947: 70) says: 'There are three records of this species for Warwickshire and there seems no room for doubt with any of them. After the first in 1884, one was seen by A. G. Leigh at Packington pool on 8th May, 1909.'

41). 1910 Breconshire Llangorse Lake, shot, 23rd August.

(T. W. Proger & D. R. Paterson, Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society 1910: 42-43; Massey, 1976).

History T. W. Proger & D. R. Paterson (1910) in the Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society, Vol. XLIII. pp. 42-43, say: 'A specimen of this rare visitor to our shores was shot on Llangorse Lake on August 23rd. This is only the second bird of this species that we have ever seen in the flesh. The first was obtained locally in March, 1891, and is recorded in the Birds of Glamorgan....It is noteworthy that of the two local examples, one occurred in spring and the other in autumn, they are therefore in quite different stages of plumage.'

Massey (1976: 33) says 'One recorded in the Transactions of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society, Vol. XLIII. was shot on Llangorse Lake on 23rd August, 1910.'

42). 1911 Norfolk Hickling Broad area, two, seen, 11th May.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., British Birds 5: 80; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1912: 130-131; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 30: 188; S. H. Long & B. B. Riviere, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 9: 793).

History J. H. Gurney, jun. (1911) in British Birds, Vol. V. p. 80, says: 'In addition to the flock of White-winged Black Terns in Sussex which Mr. Ford-Lindsay mentions (supra, p. 54), I am able to state the presence of two individuals on one of the Norfolk Broads on May 16th, 1911, thirteen days earlier than those recorded by Mr. Ford-Lindsay. They were seen by a well-trained observer, who writes me that they played around him for a considerable time on the Broad, with eighteen Black Terns, sometimes coming as near as within two yards. The red colour of their legs and beaks showed plainly in contrast with those of the Black Tern, which are dark.'

J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1912) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XVI. pp. 130-131, says: 'May 11th. Three Black Terns upon Breydon Broad (G. Jary), and on the 16th eighteen more, and a pair of White-winged Black Terns on another Broad (M. C. Bird).'

W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1912) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXX. p. 188, on the unexpected occurrences for 1911, says: 'Two seen, Norfolk Broads, May 16th.'

Admitted by S. H. Long & B. B. Riviere (1914) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. IX. p. 793, under 'Additions to Part XI (Sixth List) 1909-13'.

Comment Hickling Broad was where the Rev. M. C. Bird did his recording from.

44). 1912 Essex Burnham-on-Crouch, four, adults, seen, 28th May.

(H. Becher, Field 8th June 1912: 1170; H. Becher, British Birds 6: 126; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists ' Club 32: 183; Glegg, 1929; Hudson & Pyman, 1968; Cox, 1984).

History Harry Becher of Strathmore, Burnham-on-Crouch (1912) in The Field of 8th June, Vol. CXIX. p. 1170, says: 'On May 28 I saw four of these birds at Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex. They came close to my boat several times.'

Harry Becher (1912) in British Birds, Vol. VI. pp. 126-127, says: 'On May 28th, 1912, as I have already briefly recorded in the Field (8.vi.1912, p. 1170), I saw four White-winged Black Terns (Hydrochelidon leucoptera) at Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex. They were adult birds, and flew several times within a few yards of my boat, which was sailing most slowly as there was very little wind at the time. I thus had an excellent view of the birds. The points which particularly attracted my attention were the white tail and upper and under tail-coverts. The light grey on the wings, almost white at the shoulder, was also noticeable. The mantle and rest of the body appeared to me a deep black.'

W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1913) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXXII. p. 183, on the unexpected occurrences for 1912, says: 'Four adults, Burnham-on-Crouch (Essex), May 28th.'

48). 1927 West Midlands Edgbaston Park, Warwickshire, adult, seen, 27th May.

(Norris, 1947; Harrison et al., 1982).

History Norris (1947: 70) says: 'There are three records of this species for Warwickshire and there seems no room for doubt with any of them. After one in 1884, a second in 1909, one in full summer plumage was observed for over an hour on May 27th, 1927, by C. W. K. Wallis and Dr. Ratcliffe over the pool in Edgbaston Park, Birmingham.'

49). 1929 Hertfordshire Tring Reservoirs, adult and immature, seen, 7th October.

(C. Oldham, British Birds 23: 196-197; Sage, 1959; Gladwin & Sage, 1986).

History Chas. Oldham (1929) in British Birds, Vol. XXIII. pp. 196-197, says: 'For a couple of hours at midday on October 7th, 1929, I watched two White-winged Black Terns (Chlidonias leucopterus) in bright sunshine and at close quarters at one of the Tring reservoirs. During most of that time the birds were standing on the stony shore, but now and then they hawked about over the reservoir, feeding very much in the manner of a Black Tern by stooping steeply to the water and daintily picking something from the surface.

Like Black Terns, they never plunged or submerged, but occasionally they splashed on to the water, a thing I do not remember seeing a Black Tern do. In flight they looked paler dorsally than Black Terns, and the very slightly forked tail and the absence of dusky patches on the sides of the breast were noticeable. When they were resting on the shore, so close was I to them - not thirty yards away - that with the glasses I could see plainly the deeply incised webs of the toes and the black claws, as well as the details of the plumage. One was an adult, with bright orange-red feet; the bill dull red at the base, shading through dusky to black at the tip and on the culmen; the iris dark brown; the frosty-grey primaries extended beyond the white tail; the forehead was white; the forepart of the crown streaked with blackish-grey, the rest of the crown, nape and ear-coverts blackish; the pale grey of the folded wings was relieved by a small, ill-defined dark patch at the carpus; the whole of the underparts and the under-sides of the wings were pure white. When, as happened two or three times, the bird gaped, the brilliant orange yellow of the mouth was apparent.

The other, and younger, bird was less purely grey, some of the wing-coverts being obscurely tipped with brown; its feet were liver-coloured and there was only a suggestion of red at the base of the blackish bill. When I went to the place again on the morning of the 8th, a Black Tern and three Common Terns were hawking on the water, but the White-winged birds had gone. This species, which apparently is extremely uncommon in this country in autumn has, so far as I know, never been observed in Hertfordshire at any season of the year.'

51). 1933 Isles of Scilly Great Pool, Tresco, seen, 17th April.

(Tresco Abbey Records; B. H. Ryves & G. H. Harvey, Cornwall Bird-Watching & Preservation Society Report 1933: 46; Eds., British Birds 38: 20; Penhallurick, 1978).

History B. H. Ryves & G. H. Harvey (1933) in the Cornwall Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, Vol. III. p. 46, say: 'One was seen flying across Great Pool, Tresco, Scilly, on April 17. A.A.D.S.'

Penhallurick (1978: 438) under 'Supplement' says: '1933, one at Tresco Great Pool on 17th April (Abbey Records).'

Comment A. A. Dorrien-Smith of Tresco.

52). 1934 Norfolk Cley-next-the-Sea, seen, 10th June.

(B. B. Riviere, British Birds 28: 363).

History B. B. Riviere (1935) in British Birds, Vol. XXVIII. p. 363, in the 1934 Norfolk Bird Report, says: 'A White-winged Black Tern was seen at Cley by Mr. R. M. Garnett and Miss M. Barclay on June 10th.'

53). 1937 Kent Dungeness, seen, 17th May.

(R. Whitlock, South-Eastern Bird Report 1937: 54; Taylor, Davenport & Flegg, 1981).

History R. Whitlock (1937) in the South-Eastern Bird Report, Vol. IV. p. 54, says: 'One was seen near Dungeness on June 17th (N.H.J.).'

54). 1937 Norfolk Rush Hills, Hickling Broad, adult, seen, 22nd and 25th June.

(J. Vincent, British Birds 31: 89-90; J. Vincent, Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk 1937: 19).

History J. Vincent (1937) in British Birds, Vol. XXXI. pp. 89-90, says: 'On the afternoon of June 22nd, 1937, when standing at the edge of Rush Hills, Hickling Broad, with W. Friedlen, we saw an adult of the White-winged Black Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus) hawking for flies over Rush Hills and the Broad. On three occasions the bird flew over our heads within 10 feet of us. The white carpal joints, pure white tail, and the red feet and bill could be clearly seen. I may note that I have seen the species before. The bird was in the same area again on June 25th and was seen by W. E. Higham and myself.'

J. Vincent (1937) in Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk, p. 19, under 'Notes from Hickling', says: 'On June 22nd and 25th a White-winged Black Tern was seen over the broad by W. Friedlein, W. E. Higham and myself.'

55). 1938 Norfolk Blakeney Point, seen, early September.

(S. H. Long, Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk 1938: 4; Stoddart & Joyner, 2005).

History S. H. Long (1938) in Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk, p. 4, under 'Blakeney Point', says: 'In the first week of September the watcher [William Eales] had a close-up view of a White-winged Black Tern.'

56). 1939 Sussex Pevensey Levels, adult, 18th May.

(J. Walpole-Bond, British Birds 33: 87).

History John Walpole-Bond (1939) in British Birds, Vol. XXXIII. p. 87, says: 'On May 18th, 1939, I had the extreme good fortune to meet with a White-winged Black Tern Chlidonias leucopterus on Pevensey Level. It was an adult in full summer plumage, and, of course, quite unmistakable, the white of carpal joint, tail, rump and under tail-covert showing up magnificently against the black of head, neck and body and grey part of the wings. The tail was not much forked. I had excellent views of it at different angles.'

57). 1945 Nottinghamshire Nottingham Sewage-farm, adult, seen, 2nd September.

(R. J. Raines, British Birds 39: 148; J. Staton, Birds of Nottinghamshire Report 1945: 30).

History R. J. Raines (1946) in British Birds, Vol. XXXIX. p. 148, says: 'An adult in moulting summer plumage was watched for some time on the Sewage Farm on September 2nd. Description was as follows:- Head white with dusky shading on the crown and a black spot in front of the eye, another behind it, body was light grey with some black feathers left on the breast in tiny patches, the upper surface of the wing was light grey, slightly darker on the coverts, the first primaries had black tips, the under surface of the wing was like the upper, but the whole of the under wing-coverts were black with a few grey ones appearing; the tail was white on both surfaces. Bill and feet were red. (R. J. & T. W. Raines, J. Staton and M. P. Winser).'

58). 1946 Nottinghamshire Nottingham Sewage-farm, adult, seen, 28th August.

(R. J. Raines, British Birds 40: 26-27; J. Staton, Birds of Nottinghamshire Report 1946-49: 49).

History R. J. Raines (1947) in British Birds, Vol. XL. pp. 26-27, says: 'On August 28th, 1946, a day of strong SW gales, during a passage of Black Terns (Chlidonias n. niger) over the Nottingham Sewage Farm areas, a party of five Black Terns accompanied by a moulting White-winged Black Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus) came in.

The party was under observation at 15 and 10 yards for a period of about 15 minutes, after which the Black Terns left, followed shortly afterwards by the White-winged Black Tern. During this period the latter was under observation with 8x glasses and a 25 x telescope and the following description was noted:- A darker bird than the Black Terns, which were immatures and adults in all but winter plumage; blackish markings on the head and nape were less extensive and dark than in the Black Tern; back, upper wing-coverts and wings were sooty grey, the wings also having a brownish tinge, and the primaries were tipped blackish; the upper tail coverts and upper surface of the tail were conspicuously white, but not pure white; the throat and upper breast were grey, the breast at the level between the extended wings was pure black with numerous grey feathers appearing, thus giving a black-blotched effect, under tail coverts and underside of tail were dirty white; the underside of the wing was grey, except for the dark-tipped primaries, and under wing-coverts, the latter were blotched with black as the breast, but the blotches were smaller and more scattered than on the breast. Neglecting the detailed description, the bird resembled a Black Tern in just later than mid-moult, but was easily distinguished from the latter by the white upper-tail surface conspicuous against the dark colour of the back, and the black blotches on the under wing-coverts noticeable at a distance of 30 yards or more, these black markings both on the breast and wing-coverts were pure black rather than the sooty black of even an adult Black Tern.'

[Mr. B. K. Montgomery, who observed the bird in company with Mr. Raines, has supplied independent notes and mentions that the bill appeared distinctly smaller than those of the accompanying Black Terns, an additional confirmatory point. – Eds., B. W. Tucker.]

59). 1947 Norfolk Cley-next-the-Sea, seen, 10th May.

(C. E. Gay, Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk 1947: 31).

History C. E. Gay (1947) in Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk, p. 31, says: 'One seen at Cley on May 10th. Its flight was erratic and swift and this singled it out from the Black Terns it was with. The head, mantle, breast and underparts were black, rump and tail white, whitish patches on the shoulders, undertail coverts white, primaries and secondaries pearly grey, back and underwing black. (E. M. and C. C. Rose).'

60). 1948 Berkshire Theale Gravel-pits, juvenile, seen, 14th September.

(E. H. Lousley, Report of the Oxford Ornithological Society on the Birds of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire 1948: 41; K. E. L. Simmons, British Birds 42: 363-364; Radford, 1966).

History E. H. Lousley (1948) in the Report of the Oxford Ornithological Society on the Birds of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, p. 41, says: 'A juvenile at Theale G.P. on Sept. 14. The general resemblance to a Black Tern in size, shape and behaviour, and the white rump contrasting with the mottled grey mantle and grey tail were clearly noted (K.E.L.S.). Fuller details are appearing in British Birds.'

K. E. L. Simmons (1949) in British Birds, Vol. XLII. pp. 363-364, says: 'The occurrence in Berkshire of a juvenile White-winged Black Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus) at the Theale gravel-pits on September 14th, 1948, is here placed on record. At first I thought the bird to be a Black Tern (C. niger), but it was later evident that this conclusion was not tenable and on comparing my notes with The Handbook the real identification was established.

I had the bird under constant observation for well over an hour, from 6.20 p.m. until dusk, and during that period it flew backwards and forwards over one section of the pits, at about 8-10 ft. above the water, now and then twisting down to take food from the surface with its bill and also frequently hawking flying insects. Later it flew very much lower, about a foot high. Immediately before settling for the night, at 7.45, the bird alighted on the surface three times for brief moments, and in the failing light seemed to bob once under the water.

The following description was noted through 8 x 30 binoculars in good light at ranges down to about twenty yards: Forehead and front of crown white; posterior centre of crown and anterior centre of nape black, extending downwards on to upper ear-coverts, with a few dark shadings behind latter - forming a small cap, somewhat irregular in shape; rest of head and neck white. Mantle and back grey, mottled appreciably with brown; rump white; upper tail surface grey. Under-parts white with no dark marks on side of breast in front of wings. Wings grey, coverts and scapulars mottled with brown especially on lesser wing-coverts, making them appear darker than rest of wing; under-wing white, secondaries narrowly tipped dark, primaries more widely so. Colour of bill not definitely noted, but certainly dark.

The most conspicuous feature of the bird was the white rump bordered on either side by the darker back and tail. The tail was slightly forked and at rest the wings protruded noticeably beyond it. The bill was particularly noted as being appreciably shorter than the head. Soon after seeing the bird for the first time I commented in my note book that it was certainly smaller than both Arctic Tem (Sterna macrura) and Common Tern (S. hirundo), and that it resembled Black Tern in size, shape, and habits. Just before the light failed a tern belonging to one or other of the former species flew over, and its larger size was apparent.' It was accepted locally (Radford 1966).

61). 1949 Essex Abberton Reservoir, adult, seen, 24th to 31st July.

(C. G. Kerry, A. Marshall & G. A. Pyman, British Birds 43: 94; Hudson & Pyman, 1968; Cox, 1984).

History C. G. Kerry, A. Marshall & G. A. Pyman (1950) in British Birds, Vol. XLIII. p. 94, say: 'On July 24th, 1949, whilst the undersigned were watching nesting terns at Abberton Reservoir, near Colchester. Essex, G.A.P. spotted a species of marsh tern in flight which was instantly identified as a White-winged Black Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus) in full breeding plumage. Excellent views were obtained through binoculars (the most powerful being 10 x 50) over a period of minutes at distances varying between 30 and 50 yards. The possibility of confusion with the Black Tern (Chlidonias niger), with which species both G.A.P. and A.M. are familiar, was quite precluded by virtue of the pure white tail and upper tail-coverts and the white on the wing, which latter appeared to cover a greater area than that described in The Handbook, about two-thirds of the length of the fore-wing from the shoulder outwards being either white or near white and shading through pale grey into slate grey on the primaries and secondaries. Otherwise, except for the fact that the colour of the bill and legs could not be determined, the description given in The Handbook tallied exactly. The bird was quite silent during the period in which it was under observation.

The bird's presence may, it is thought, have been due to the intermittently strong southerly winds, varying between south-east and south-west, which prevailed during a spell of stormy weather a week to ten days earlier. What was presumably the same bird was observed by G.A.P. on July 29th and, in company with A.M., on July 31st, 1949, when moulting was seen to be well advanced, large areas of previously black plumage being necked with white and the forehead and fore-crown wholly white. The black underwing was seen to advantage from a distance of about 50 yards. It appears that this species had only once previously been recorded in Essex, namely, in 1912, when a party of four was seen.'

62). 1949 Avon Barrow Gurney Reservoir, Somerset, adult, seen, 9th September.

(M. J. Wotton, British Birds 43: 161-162; F. L. Blathwayt, Report on Somerset Birds 1949: 27).

History M. J. Wotton (1950) in British Birds, Vol. XLIII. pp. 161-162, says: 'During the late afternoon of September 9th, 1949, A White-winged Black Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus) was seen to arrive at No. 2 reservoir, Barrow Gurney, Somerset. The bird was an adult, moulting to winter plumage, and was under observation for a considerable period at ranges down to less than 30 yards. It was later seen by Mr. H. H. Davis and was watched on the following day by several other observers.

At all times, the bird was readily distinguished from the two Black Terns (Chlidonias niger) with which it frequently associated by its strikingly pied appearance. The following description is taken from field notes and sketches: - Head white, with a small dark mark behind the eye, and black flecks on the crown and nape; mantle and back dull black mottled slate-grey, sharply contrasted with the white rump and the white, square-ended tail. Wing-coverts off-white, shading through pale grey to black-brown at the tips of the primaries; secondaries pale grey, but considerably darker on the inner feathers. Under wing-coverts jet black, slightly speckled white, remainder of under-wing pale grey; breast and belly jet black, heavily blotched white, under tail-coverts white. Bill rather short, and apparently black. This is the first recorded occurrence of a White-winged Black Tern in Somerset.'

F. L. Blathwayt (1949) in the Report on Somerset Birds, Vol. XXXVI. p. 27, states nothing new to the above.

1950-57 RECORDS

63). 1950 Norfolk Morston, two, 24th May.

(T. Eales, Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk 1950: 8; Seago, 1977).

History T. Eales (1950) in Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk, p. 8, under 'Notes from the diary of the Warden, Ted Eales', says: 'Two White-winged Black Terns in Morston creek by the Warden and W. F. Bishop, keeper of the Cley marshes, on May 24th....'

65). 1950 Norfolk Blakeney Harbour, three, 25th May.

(T. Eales, Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk 1950: 8; Seago, 1977).

History T. Eales (1950) in Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk, p. 8, under 'Notes from the diary of the Warden, Ted Eales', says: '...Next day [25th May] there were three in Blakeney harbour.'

68). 1950 Norfolk Blakeney Point, 21st June.

(T. Eales, Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk 1950: 8; Seago, 1977).

History T. Eales (1950) in Wild Bird Protection in Norfolk, p. 8, under 'Notes from the diary of the Warden, Ted Eales', says: '...On June 21st another was seen on the Far Point by Mr. R. Gaze.'

69). 1951 Kent Hythe, 15th May.

(Harrison, 1953; Taylor, Davenport & Flegg, 1981).

History Harrison (1953 (1): 452-453) says: 'On the afternoon of May 15th, R-Adm. Sir Henry Woodward saw a bird off the sea front, between Sandgate and Hythe, which he believed was a White-winged Black Tern. His original description (in litt., 20.v.1951) states: "I saw a tern appearing about 30 yards out, parallel to the shore, and was struck by its body - I observed it till it was out of recognisable distance and at its closet it was about 30 yards off - the body and head were all very dark, but the wings were almost white".

In a subsequent letter (12.vi.1951) the observer adds: "The dark body was noticeable as soon as I caught site of it about 100 yards off and I never took my eyes off it until it had passed out of sight....The whitish wings, particularly at the shoulder, were very distinct and noticeable - it was alone". I consider his identification substantiated.'

70). 1952 Suffolk Minsmere, 21st May.

(P. R. Westall, Suffolk Bird Report 1952: 6; Eds., British Birds 47: 282; Payn, 1978).

History P. R. Westall (1952) in the Suffolk Bird Report, p. 6, says: 'One at Minsmere 21st May (R.S.P.B.).'

71). 1952 Nottinghamshire Nottingham Sewage-farm, 14th September.

(A. Dobbs, Birds of Nottinghamshire Report 1950-54: 35).

History A. Dobbs (1954) in the Report on the Birds of Nottinghamshire, p. 35, says: '1952. One accompanying Black Terns, September 14th, N.S.F. Differed in that it had paler wings and tail (upper side), latter almost white. It also lacked blackish shoulder patches. Both species were watched at close range and compared in good light. Observer (P.H.G.) has had previous experience with this species, but only in breeding plumage. (P.H.G., G.F.).'

72). 1953 Norfolk Cley-next-the-Sea, adult, 13th June.

(M. J. Seago, Norfolk Bird Report 1953: 33).

History M. J. Seago (1953) in the Norfolk Bird Report, p. 33, says: 'An adult in breeding plumage, Cley, June 13th (L.A.). Described as a small tern with jet black head and body, black under wing-coverts and white square-ended tail. Sketch supplied.'

73). 1954 Devon Exe Estuary, Powderham, adult, 9th to 10th May.

(M. Brooks-King, Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1954: 30; R. F. Moore & F. R. Smith, British Birds 48: 178; Moore, 1969).

History M. Brooks-King (1954) in the Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report, Vol. XXVII. p. 30, says: 'One with a party of Black Terns, first seen May 9 (F.R.S., A.V.S., R.F.M.) readily picked out by its white wings shading to dark tips, white tail and tail coverts contrasting with black body, red legs seen at close range by R.F.M.; also seen on May 10 by F.R.S., P.J.D. and T. Wallace with a party of Common Terns. This is the first recorded in Devon since 1870.'

74). 1954 Norfolk Lynn Point, adult, 24th August.

(I. T. C. Nisbet, Cambridge Bird Club Report 1954: 15; M. J. Seago, Norfolk Bird Report 1954: 35).

History I. T. C. Nisbet (1954) in the Cambridge Bird Club Report, p. 15, says: 'Lynn Point, an adult still in partial summer plumage flew inland on Aug. 24th (W.R.P.B.). Full details supplied.'

M. J. Seago (1954) in the Norfolk Bird Report, p. 35, acknowledges the above.

75). 1955 Norfolk Cley-next-the-Sea, immature, 26th May to 4th June, photo.

(R. A. Richardson, British Birds 48: 419, plates 54-56; M. J. Seago, Norfolk Bird Report 1955: 45, photos).

History R. A. Richardson (1955) in British Birds, Vol. XLVIII. p. 419, says: 'A White-winged Black Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus) spent ten days on Cley Marshes, Norfolk, from 26th May to 4th June 1955 and the many observers who saw it had excellent opportunities for comparing it at close range with the eight or ten Black Terns (Ch. niger) which accompanied it.

Photographs were taken by R. P. Bagnall-Oakeley, Howard Nicholls and Philip Wayre, and a selection of these appears on plates 54-56. The pale, silvery grey wings (whitest on the leading edge between body and carpal joint), the black under wing-coverts and the white rump were the salient features, while the intense black of the head and body contrasted strikingly with the white vent and other pale parts of the plumage. The secondaries and outer three or four primaries were dark grey while the almost square-ended tail was pearly. The blackish-red bill was distinctly shorter than the Black Tern's and the coral red legs appeared longer on the few occasions when the bird alighted on a sandy spit. W. H. Dady wrote down the following description of the bird's call-notes: "A sharp "kweek" uttered up to five times in succession; also a harder "kwek-kwek". The Black Terns were making the usual petulant "krew".'

[I watched this bird on several occasions during 27th-30th May and I have never seen a White-winged Black Tern less distinctive in its black and white contrasts. It was presumably immature as there was brown on the innermost secondaries. - P.A.D.H.]

76). 1955 Norfolk Cley-next-the-Sea, adult, 8th August.

(M. J. Seago, Norfolk Bird Report 1956: 40).

History M. J. Seago (1956) in the Norfolk Bird Report, p. 40, says: 'An unpublished record for 1955 is of an adult moulting from summer plumage flying west off Cley beach, August 8th. Satisfactory details and sketch from P.C.J. including black under-wing coverts.'

77). 1956 Kent The Wicks, Dungeness, two, 19th May.

(E. H. Gillham, Kent Bird Report 1956: 26).

History E. H. Gillham (1956) in the Kent Bird Report, p. 26, says: 'Two satisfactory records of this species hitherto only recorded on about six occasions in the county this century. Two watched for five minutes at the Wicks, Dungeness, on May 19 (J.T.S.) and one at New Romney Ponds on June 13 (A.C.C., E.D.S., H.M.R., W.S.N.). Full details received in both cases and observers noted large area of white on upper side of wings; white tails and white upper and under tail coverts; black head, breast and axillaries; and red legs.'

79). 1956 Kent New Romney, adult, 13th June.

(E. H. Gillham, Kent Bird Report 1956: 26; A. C. Cawston, British Birds 51: 160).

A. C. Cawston (1958) in British Birds, Vol. LI. p. 160, says: 'At 11 a.m. on 13th June 1956, at New Romney, Kent, the Rev. E. D. Sedding and I found a White-winged Black Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus), in full summer plumage, flying over the ponds there. We watched it for some time before leaving the area and it was still there when we returned in the evening, at about 5.30 p.m., whereupon we telephoned Mr. W. S. Nevin who, with Miss H. M. Rowland, was able to watch it for some two hours from 7.0 p.m. The following details are combined from the notes of all the observers concerned: The head, back, breast, belly and axillaries were all black, contrasting with the rump, upper and lower tail-coverts and tail, which were pure white. The foreparts of the wings were white above and black, or nearly black, below, while the primaries and secondaries were grey. The legs were dull reddish, and the beak was black with a little red at the base (H.M.R., W.S.N.). In the evening the bird spent some time on the grass at the edge of the ponds, and gave H.M.R. and W.S.N, a particularly fine opportunity to study the plumage.'

80). 1956 Sussex Hove, 15th June.

(D. D. Harber, Sussex Bird Report 1956: 19; G. A. Sutton, British Birds 51: 160; des Forges & Harber, 1963).

History D. D. Harber (1956) in the Sussex Bird Report, p. 19, says: 'On June 15th G.A.S. saw one flying W c. 350 yards off Hove. Visibility was very good. "Head, underparts and back jet black, rump and tail white. Wings whitish with some dark marks on primaries and on inner wing".'

G. A. Sutton (1958) in British Birds, Vol. LI. p. 160, says: 'At about 7.35 a.m. on 15th June 1956, while I was standing on the sea-front at Hove, Sussex, a small tern passed in a westerly direction, flying approximately 300-400 yards offshore. The visibility was perfect and the following points were noted before the bird was out of range: The head, under-parts and back were jet black, with the rump and tail pure white in direct contrast. The wings appeared to be whitish, with some darker marks on the primaries and on the inner wing (the exact position of the marks on the inner wing was not determined in the short time concerned). The under-sides of the primaries were quite pale, but the colour of the rest of the under-wing was not noted.

The flight was direct and purposeful, though with not quite the buoyancy of a sea tern (Sterna spp.) The contrasting black and white, of the back compared with the rump and tail, could be seen from a great distance as the bird disappeared to the west. I realised that it was undoubtedly a White-winged Black Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus) and, on reporting it, learnt of the one that had been seen at New Romney, Kent, two days earlier.'

81). 1957 Lincolnshire Grantham Sewage-farm, Marston, adult, 17th to 21st August.

(D. G. H. West & P. B. Haywood, British Birds 51: 159-160; R. K. Cornwallis & A. E. Smith, Transactions of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union 14: 202).

History D. G. H. West & P. B. Haywood (1958) in British Birds Vol. LI. pp. 159-160, say: 'On the morning of 17th August 1957, at Grantham sewage-farm, Lincolnshire, we were watching a small party of Black Terns (Chlidonias niger), all either immatures or adults in an advanced stage of moult. Then we saw that one lacked the characteristic "shoulder-mark" and had a noticeably white appearance. During the next hour we made the following notes, with the bird sometimes as close as 20 yards: Feeding-habits and flight exactly the same as the Black Terns. Crown black; forehead white; back moulting from a dark colour; tail, rump and forepart of wings white, with a trace of grey on top of the carpal joint. Under-parts completely white and under-wing light; no sign of a "shoulder-mark". Legs noticeably red, but beak blackish. Its white appearance contrasted very strikingly with the grey of the Black Terns.

After reference to the Field Guide and The Handbook we decided that it was a White-winged Black Tern (Ch. leucopterus), presumably an adult in moult. It was also seen later by W. M. Peet and C. T. Beverley and it remained at the sewage-farm until 21st August.'

[What was probably another White-winged Black Tern was seen at Bardney, Lincolnshire, by W. M. Peet (who also saw the Grantham bird), R. K. Cornwallis and others, on 18th August 1957.

The two localities are only some 35 miles apart. However, this second bird was evidently in almost complete winter plumage, so that it was impossible to be absolutely certain that it was not a Whiskered Tern (Ch. hybrida), even though this would perhaps be a very unlikely coincidence. - Eds.]

R. K. Cornwallis & A. E. Smith (1958) in the Transactions of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union, Vol. XIV. p. 202, say: 'Grantham S.F., 17-18/8 (D.W., F.S., P.H., W.M.P., G.F.J.).

[Another bird probably of this species, but in a plumage indistinguishable from that of a Whiskered Tern, was at Bardney, 18/8 (W.M.P., G.F.J., R.K.C., L.C.)]. See British Birds, LI. pp. 159-60.

This is the first properly authenticated record of this species in Lincolnshire, two pre-1914 records being inadequately substantiated.'

NOT PROVEN

0). 1852 Leicestershire & Rutland Groby Pool, seen, 24th May.

(Browne, 1889).

[Browne, 1889].

History Browne (1889: 160) says: 'Harley related that, on the 24th May, 1852, while driving in company with a friend close to Groby Pool, he observed a pied-coloured Tern skimming over the surface of the water, in pursuit of Tipulidae and small Dragon-flies. He was of opinion that the specimen referred to was either S. leucoptera or S. fuliginosa, and not S. nigra, especially as S. fuliginosa had occurred on the Trent, in May, 1852, coincident in point of time with his pied Tern....I would remark, however, that both observers may have been correct in seeing a white and black Tern, and yet that it need not follow that it was a White-winged Black Tern in either case, the immature Black Tern being pied, as also the adult in winter.'

Comment Not specifically identified. Not acceptable.

0). 1857 West Midlands Near Coventry, Warwickshire, two, obtained, June.

(Gould, 1862-1873; Harting, 1872; Yarrell, 1871-85; Seebohm, 1883-85).

[Not in Hartert et al., 1912; Not in Harrison et al., 1982].

History Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 522, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'Gould states (B. of Gt. Brit., V.) on the authority of Mr. N. Troughton, that two were obtained near Coventry in June, 1857.'

Admitted nationally (Seebohm 1884 (3): 257), but not accepted locally for the West Midland Bird Club (Harrison et al. 1982).

0). 1867 Yorkshire Flamborough Head, adult, seen for a few days, spring.

(Cordeaux, 1872; Clarke & Roebuck, 1881; Yarrell, 1871-85; Nelson, 1907; Mather, 1986).

[KAN].

History Cordeaux (1872: 197) says: 'White-winged Black Tern. In the spring of 1867 a single mature bird of the beautiful Mediterranean Tern was seen for some days in the neighbourhood of Flamborough. It was not, however, procured.'

Accepted locally (Clarke & Roebuck 1881: 80; Nelson 1907 (2): 650).

Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 523, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'According to Mr. Cordeaux (B. Humber, p. 197), a single mature bird was observed but not obtained near Flamborough Head.'

Comment Third-hand report. No identification details for this sight record. Not acceptable.

0). 1872 Norfolk/Suffolk Breydon, three, seen, May.

(Booth, 1881-87; Southwell, 1890; Booth, 1901; Ticehurst, 1932; Piotrowski, 2003).

[Ticehurst, 1932].

History Booth (1881-87 (3): unpaged) says: 'In the spring of 1872 I was in the south of England, and though almost daily at sea did not meet with the species; a pair were, however, seen on Breydon by one of the gunners who had been present when the specimens were procured the previous year.'

Southwell, Editor (1890 (3): 317) in Stevenson's Birds of Norfolk, says: 'Mr. Booth (Rough Notes) states that in the spring of 1872 a pair were seen on Breydon by one of the gunners who had been present when the last-mentioned examples were procured.'

Booth (1901: 174, 3rd ed.) says: 'Three were also noticed on Breydon mudflats about the same time by one of the gunners who had seen the birds I had obtained there a couple of years previously.'

Ticehurst (1932: 426) says: 'Three said to have been seen Breydon, May, 1873....The birds Booth saw were said to have been plunging for food after the manner of Common Terns, a habit distinctly unusual.'

Accepted locally for Suffolk (Piotrowski 2003: 199).

Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.

0). 1873 Sussex South Heighton, Newhaven, adult male, obtained, May.

(T. Colgate, jun., Field 13th Nov., 1875: 543; Yarrell, 1871-85; Borrer, 1891; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

[KAN].

History T. Colgate, jun., (1875) in The Field, of 13th November, Vol. XLVI. p. 543, says: 'I noticed in your columns of the 5th of June last an account of a White-winged Black Tern (Sterna leucoptera) having been shot in Co. Limerick, and noted as a great rarity. I therefore thought it might interest you to know that a fine adult male of the above was killed at South Weighton, near Newhaven, Sussex, about the month of May, 1873, and is now in the possession of a gentleman in the neighbourhood.'

Admitted by Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 523, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.

Accepted locally (Borrer 1891: 253; Walpole-Bond 1938 (3): 244).

Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.

0). Pre 1875 Sussex The Crumbles, killed, undated.

(A. J. Clark Kennedy, Field 19th June 1875: 609; Yarrell, 1871-85; Borrer, 1891; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

[KAN].

History Arthur J. Clark Kennedy of Little Glemham, Suffolk (1875) in The Field of 19th June, Vol. XLV. p. 609, says: '... Mr. Harting in his Handbook of British Birds, records ten other instances, and I can add another to the list, which was shot some few years ago by Mr. Chas. Simmons, while flying in company with some Swallows over the Crumble Ponds, near Eastbourne, Sussex.'

Admitted by Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 523, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds. Locally, Borrer (1891: 253) says: 'A second example is recorded in the same paper of June 19, 1875, by Mr. Clark Kennedy as killed some few years previously at Eastbourne.' Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (3): 244).

Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Also, possible duplicate record for 1873. Not acceptable.

0). 1883 Hampshire River Itchen, Bishopstoke, three, seen, 27th April.

("Cover" Field 5th May 1883: 605).

[Clark & Eyre, 1993].

History "Cover" (1883) in The Field of 5th May, Vol. LXI. p. 605, says: 'I saw three very pretty specimens of this tern flying and fishing up and down the Itchen at Bishopstoke last Friday, 27th ult. They were very tame, frequently coming within three or four yards of me. Are these not rather rare visitants?'

[At one time the White-winged Black Tern was regarded as a very rare visitant in spring and autumn to the British Islands; but of late years it has been more frequently observed, and is now believed to be an annual visitor, at least to the eastern and south-eastern counties of England. - Ed.]

Not accepted locally (Clark & Eyre 1993).

Comment Anonymous records were unacceptable to ornithologists. Not acceptable.

0). 1883 Hampshire Woolmer Pond, three, seen, April.

(Kelsall & Munn, 1905).

[Clark & Eyre, 1993].

History Kelsall & Munn (1905: 328) say: 'Captain Savile Reid informed Kelsall that he saw three at Wolmer Pond in April, 1883.'

Comment No identification details of this, at the time, difficult species. Not accepted locally.

0). 1883 Greater London Brent Reservoir, Middlesex, shot, May.

(Glegg, 1935; Self, 2014).

[Glegg, 1935].

History Glegg (1935: 163) recording the record in square brackets, says: 'R. H. Read states that he was informed by Power that a specimen of the White-winged Black Tern, was shot by Sawyer, the gamekeeper at the Brent Reservoir in May, 1883. As this was not examined by a competent ornithologist the record cannot be accepted.'

Self (2014 ) accepts it for Greater London regardless of Glegg's statement.

Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.

0). 1883 Leicestershire & Rutland Saddington Reservoir, seen, 13th June.

(Browne, 1889).

[Browne, 1889].

History Browne (1889: 160-161) says: 'Mr. Macaulay told me that Stafford, the water-keeper at Saddington Reservoir, described to him a white and black bird - evidently a Tern - which he saw there on 13th June 1883, and Mr. Macaulay thinks this must have been H. leucoptera, because one shot three days before, on one of the Norfolk Broads, was in company with another. I would remark, however, that both observers may have been correct in seeing a white and black Tern, and yet that it need not follow that it was a White-winged Black Tern in either case, the immature Black Tern being pied, as also the adult in winter.'

Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not specifically identified. Not acceptable.

0). 1886 Norfolk Horning, seen, 30th May.

(Southwell, 1890).

[Southwell, 1890].

History Southwell, Editor (1890 (3): 318) in Stevenson's Birds of Norfolk, says: 'I know of no other occurrence of this species in Norfolk, but Mr. J. A. Cole assures me that on the 30th May, 1886, while moored fishing at Horning, a White-winged Black Tern came leisurely beating up the river and passed close to his boat; he saw it very distinctly both in approaching and going away, and is quite certain that he could not be mistaken.'

Comment Southwell appended this record at the end of the species, presumably having no faith in it. Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.

0). 1888 Norfolk/Suffolk Breydon, seen, 13th April.

(A. H. Patterson, Zoologist 1901: 105; Patterson, 1904).

[Allard, 1990].

History A. H. Patterson of Great Yarmouth (1901) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. V. p. 105, says: 'One on Breydon, April 13th, 1888.'

Patterson (1904: 150-151) adds: 'For several years past a watcher has been stationed on Breydon during the close season for wild birds....The first man employed was a big old fellow known as "Ducker" Chambers....Old Chambers kept a rough sort of diary, and from day to day, or when the humour seized him, it was his custom to jot down in rough numbers the birds that came into his view from time to time. I append a few entries, which may be interesting for purposes of comparison: - 1888. April 13. White-winged Tern.'

Ticehurst (1932: 426) says: 'One recorded Breydon, 13th April, 1888.'

Allard (1990: 85) says: 'An early one seen...is perhaps not fully authenticated.'

Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.

0). 1892 Hampshire River Avon, Christchurch, some, seen, 30th April.

(Kelsall & Munn, 1905).

[Clark & Eyre, 1993].

History Kelsall & Munn (1905: 328) say: 'The Rev. A. P. Morres saw some of these birds passing down the Avon on April 30th, 1892, "on migration to Christchurch, where H, the naturalist, had been looking out for them all that week" (Wild Life in Hampshire Highlands, by G. A. B. Dewar, p. 21).'

Comment No identification details of this, at the time, difficult species. Not accepted locally.

0). 1893 Norfolk Blakeney Harbour, two, seen, 16th May.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1894: 87; Pashley, 1925).

[Pashley, 1925].

History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Norwich (1894) in The Zoologist, 3rd series, Vol. XVIII. p. 87, says: '…and according to Mr. Pashley (whose account was afterwards confirmed verbally)...two White-winged Terns were seen (on the 16th).'

Pashley (1925) says: '1893. May 16th. A pair of White-winged Black Terns were seen sitting on a buoy in the harbour.' Further, under 'List of Cley Birds' he adds: 'Has been reported several times from unreliable sources.'

Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.

0). 1897 Hampshire Near Portchester, three, seen, 27th April.

(G. W. Smith, Zoologist 1898: 126-130; Kelsall & Munn, 1905).

[Clark & Eyre, 1993].

History G. W. Smith (1898) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. II. p. 129, says: 'The following are some of Mr. Stare's notes for the earlier part of the year, which I was not able to insert in my own notes then:— "...April 27th, on a piece of water not far from here (Porchester) I saw three White-winged Black Terns (Hydrochelidon leucoptera), one of the Marsh Terns. They only remained there one day. They are very elegant birds, flying about over the reed-beds and open water hawking after insects. Sometimes they would come and settle on some old posts that were standing in the water."...'

Kelsall & Munn (1905: 328) say: 'Mr. Stares also saw three on April 27th, 1897, on a piece of water near Portchester:— "They only remained there one day. They were very elegant birds, flying about over the reed-beds and open water, hawking after insects. Sometimes they would come and settle on some old posts that were standing in the water".'

Comment No identification details of this, at the time, difficult species. Not accepted locally.

0). c. 1897 Northumberland Gosforth Park, two, adults, seen, May.

(Bolam, 1912; Galloway & Meek, 1978-83).

[KAN].

History Bolam (1912: 606) says: 'In 1904 I was informed by Mr. E. O. Reid, of Newcastle, that one day in May, about seven years previously, he had seen two adults hawking over the lake in Gosforth Park, and had watched them so long, and carefully, through his glasses, that he had not a doubt about their correct identification.'

Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Third-hand report. No identification details for this sight record. Not acceptable.

0). 1900 Norfolk Near Cley-next-the-Sea, seen, 1st August.

(Pashley, 1925).

[Pashley, 1925].

History Pashley (1925) says: '1900. August 1st. A White-winged Black Tern said to have been seen quite close.' Further, under 'List of Cley Birds' he adds: 'Has been reported several times from unreliable sources.'

Comment Third hand report that lacks adequate details. No identification details for this sight record. Not acceptable.

0). 1901 Norfolk/Suffolk Breydon Water, eight, seen, 22nd April.

(J. H. Gurney & T. Southwell, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 7: 738; Patterson, 1907; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 2: 306; Ticehurst, 1932; Allard, 1990; Piotrowski, 2003).

[J. H. Gurney & T. Southwell, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 7: 738].

History J. H. Gurney & T. Southwell (1904) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. VII. p. 738, read 29th March 1904, say: 'On the 22nd April, 1901, eight of these birds are said to have been seen on Breydon by the watcher; and on 15th May another was seen in the same locality. There is some doubt, however, as to whether they were correctly identified.'

Patterson (1907: 196-197) says: 'Through the courtesy of H. A. Frederick, Esq., Secretary to the Breydon Protection Society, I had the opportunity of overhauling the notebooks kept by the two Breydon watchers, viz. "Ducker" Chambers, who held the post from 1888 to 1899 inclusive, and "Newcome" Jary, who was appointed in 1899, and continues to occupy the position. 1901. April 22nd. Eight White-winged Black Terns, and several Swallows flying across. S.E.; fine.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1909) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 306, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

Locally, Ticehurst (1932: 426) says: 'Doubted by J. H. Gurney, jun.'

Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. No identification details for this sight record. Not acceptable.

0). 1901 Norfolk/Suffolk Breydon Water, seen, 15th May.

(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1902: 88; J. H. Gurney & T. Southwell, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 7: 738; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 2: 306; Ticehurst, 1932; Allard, 1990; Piotrowski, 2003).

[J. H. Gurney & T. Southwell, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 7: 738].

History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1902) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. VI. p. 88, says: 'May 15th. A White-winged Black Tern on Breydon Broad.'

Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1909) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 306, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.

Locally, Ticehurst (1932: 426) says: 'Doubted by J. H. Gurney, jun.'

Comment No identification details for this sight record. Not acceptable.

0). 1902 Norfolk Blakeney, seen, August.

(W. Rowan, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 10: 277; Stoddart & Joyner, 2005).

[Pashley, 1925].

History W. Rowan (1918) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. X. p. 277, says: 'One was seen in August, 1902, near the Beacon Sandhills.'

Pashley (1925) under 'List of Cley Birds' says: 'Has been reported several times from unreliable sources.'

Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. No identification details for this sight record. Not acceptable.

0). 1903 Norfolk Blakeney, three, seen, May.

(Pashley, 1925).

[Pashley, 1925].

History Pashley (1925) under 'List of Cley Birds' says: 'Has been reported several times from unreliable sources. Three seen by the late Mr. E. M. Connop at Blakeney in May, 1903.'

Comment No identification details for this sight record. Not acceptable.

0). 1903 Norfolk/Suffolk Breydon Water, seen, 31st May.

(Patterson, 1907).

[KAN].

History Patterson (1907: 196, 202) says: 'Through the courtesy of H. A. Frederick, Esq., Secretary to the Breydon Protection Society, I had the opportunity of overhauling the notebooks kept by the two Breydon watchers, viz. "Ducker" Chambers, who held the post from 1888 to 1899 inclusive, and "Newcome" Jary, who was appointed in 1899, and continues to occupy the position....1903. May 31st. Several Lesser Terns, Common also, and a White-winged Black Tern. N.E.; fine.'

Comment Not recorded in the literature of the day. Accepted Norfolk records were published in the Transactions from 1869. Not acceptable.

0). 1904 Kent Lydd, female, 25th May.

(Harrison, 1953).

[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].

History Harrison (1953 (1): 452) says: 'The other existing specimens are a pair, now in the Maidstone Museum, shot near Lydd on 1st June 1911, a single female having been shot at the same place on 25th May 1904. This bird was in Mr. Boyd Alexander's collection.'

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). 1904 Kent Hoppen Pits, Dungeness, five, adults, seen, two males and a female shot, 29th May.

(H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 2: 306; Ticehurst, 1909; Harrison, 1953).

[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].

History Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1909) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 306, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899', who say: 'Five were shot out of a small flock at Dungeness on May 29th, 1904 (N.F.T.).'

Ticehurst (1909: 491-492) says: 'On May 29th, 1904, a small flock appeared at the "Hoppen Pits" on Dungeness Beach, and five of them were shot; three of these, two males and a female, all in full breeding plumage, I examined shortly afterwards at Mr. Bristow's. A pair is now in Mr. J. L. Bonhote's collection, and a third is in the Hastings Museum.'

Comment Hastings rarities. Not acceptable.

0). 1904 Norfolk/Suffolk Breydon Water, seen, 4th August.

(Patterson, 1907).

[KAN].

History Patterson (1907: 196, 205) says: 'Through the courtesy of H. A. Frederick, Esq., Secretary to the Breydon Protection Society, I had the opportunity of overhauling the notebooks kept by the two Breydon watchers, viz. "Ducker" Chambers, who held the post from 1888 to 1899 inclusive, and "Newcome" Jary, who was appointed in 1899, and continues to occupy the position....1904. August 4th. A Black Tern about the size of a Common Tern with a white rump here to-day. S.S.E.; fine.'

Comment Jary's first sighting of an autumn individual. Unfortunately, some juvenile Black Terns have been noticed with paler rumps. Not acceptable.

0). Pre 1905 Sussex Warnham Mill Pond, Horsham, undated.

(Millais, 1905; Walpole-Bond, 1938).

[KAN].

History Millais (1905 (1): 295) in the Victoria County History of Sussex, says: 'Recently I identified a specimen of this rare tern in the small collection of birds belonging to Mr. Eardley Hall at Henfield. It was changing into winter plumage and was killed many years ago at Warnham Pond near Horsham.'

Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (3): 244).

Comment Lacks a precise date for a scientific record. Not acceptable.

0). 1906 Suffolk Shingle Street, two, seen, summer.

(Ticehurst, 1932; Piotrowski, 2003).

[Ticehurst, 1932].

History Ticehurst (1932: 426) says: 'Two said to have been seen Shingle Street, summer 1906, by G. D. Hope.

Not accepted locally (Payn 1978, 2nd ed.) but accepted later (Piotrowski 2003: 199).

Comment Ticehurst had no faith in the record, using "said to have been". Not acceptable.

0). 1910 Norfolk Coastal locality, seen, 18th June.

(J. Rudge Harding, Field 2nd Jul., 1910: 52; Pashley, 1925).

[Pashley, 1925].

History J. Rudge Harding (1910) in The Field of 2nd Jul., Vol. CXVI. p. 52, says: 'On June 18, on the Norfolk coast, many Common and Lesser Terns were flying above the sea, not far from the beach. Amongst them was a tern of which the head and body were velvety black, the wings dull dark grey, and the rump white. The tail was also grey. I could not distinguish the colour of the beak or legs. Could this have been a White-winged Black Tern in immature plumage?'

[It is evident that the bird was indistinctly seen, and therefore could not be fully described. It is, however, very improbable that it was an immature White-winged Black Tern, as our correspondent will see if he refers to the account given of this species in the last edition of Yarrell's British Birds (III, 522). - Ed.]

Pashley (1925) under 'List of Cley Birds' says: 'Has been reported several times from unreliable sources. One reported June, 1910, and the notice sent to The Field; turned out to be a Black Tern.'

Comment Misidentified. Not acceptable.

0). 1911 Sussex Between Winchelsea and Rye, seven, two males and a female, shot, 29th May, two now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1962Z10.360 & 361), one now at National Museums of Scotland (NMS.Z.1913.198.7).

(H. W. Ford-Lindsay, British Birds 5: 54; W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 30: 188; E. N. Bloomfield, Hastings & East Sussex Naturalist 2: 3; Walpole-Bond, 1938; Watson, 2010; J. M. Collinson & R. Y. McGowan, British Birds 104: 543).

[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].

History H. W. Ford-Lindsay (1911) in British Birds, Vol. V. p. 54, says: 'A small flock of seven White-winged Black Terns (Hydrochelidon leucoptera) arrived between Winchelsea and Rye on May 29th, 1911. Three were shot, two males and one female, and these I examined in the flesh on May 31st. It is a curious fact that on precisely the same date (May 29th, 1904) a small flock appeared at the Hoppen Pits in Kent, of which five specimens were obtained. There have been two previous records for Sussex.'

W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1912) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXX. p. 188, on the unexpected occurrences for 1911, says: 'Seven, S. E. Sussex coast, May 29th.'

Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (3): 244).

Watson (2010) in detailing the J. L. Auden collection in the Birmingham Museum lists a male and female specimens that were obtained at Winchelsea, Rye Bay, Sussex, on 30th May 1911, adding that they were bought at the sale of J. B. Nichols collection.

Comment Hastings rarities. Not acceptable.

0). 1911 Sussex Winchelsea, pair, 31st May, both now at National Museums of Scotland (NMS.Z.1913.198.7).

(J. M. Collinson & R. Y. McGowan, British Birds 104: 543).

[J. M. Collinson & R. Y. McGowan, British Birds 104: 543].

History J. M. Collinson & R. Y. McGowan (2011) in British Birds, Vol. CIV. p. 543, in a Letter, under 'Hastings Rarities in the Royal Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh', state that the following species were sold to the museum during 1913 and 1914 by George Bristow, the taxidermist of St Leonard's, who was at the heart of the fraud known as the 'Hastings Rarities', just before Witherby challenged him in 1916 over the amount of rarities recorded in the area. A male and female from Winchelsea on 31st May 1911 (Acc. No. 1913.198.7).

Comment Hastings rarities. Not acceptable.

0). 1911 Kent Near Lydd, two, 1st June.

(Harrison, 1953).

[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].

History Harrison (1953 (1): 452) says: 'The other existing specimens are a pair, now in the Maidstone Museum, shot near Lydd on 1st June 1911.'

Comment Hastings rarities. Not acceptable.

0). 1913 Cambridgeshire River Cam, near Cambridge, two, seen, May.

(T. R. Livesey, Field 17th May 1913: 902).

[Lack, 1934].

History T. R. Livesey (1913) in The Field of 17th May, Vol. CXXI. p. 902, says: 'It may be of interest to naturalists to report the appearance of a pair of White-winged Black Terns on the river about four miles from Cambridge. They were exceedingly tame, and could be easily approached as they were hawking about for water insects over a small piece of marsh land.'

Not accepted locally (Lack 1934).

0). Pre 1914 Lincolnshire Gibraltar Point, two, seen, undated.

(F. L. Blathwayt, Transactions of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union 1915: 207).

[Smith & Cornwallis, 1955].

History F. L. Blathwayt (1915) in the Transactions of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union, Vol. III. p. 207, says: 'Has been seen at sea off Gibraltar Point on two occasions during the past 25 years by H. Nash. This species could not easily be mistaken for any other.'

Smith & Cornwallis (1955) say: 'Two pre-1914 records of birds seen at sea off Gibraltar Point given by Blathwayt are not adequately substantiated.'

0). 1915 Cumbria Skinburness, seen, 8th May.

(E. Blezard, Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society 6: 137; Hutcheson, 1986).

[KAN].

History Ernest Blezard (1943) in the Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society, Vol. VI. p. 137, says: 'William Nichol who was perfectly familiar with the Black Tern on passage on the Solway, recognised a single White-winged Black Tern at Skinburness, on 8th May, 1915. The bird was sitting out on the sands close to where a number of Black-headed Gulls were fishing. This is the first and only record for Lakeland.'

Locally, Hutcheson (1986: 70) states the date as May, 1913.

Comment No identification details for this sight record. Not acceptable.

0). 1917 Outer Hebrides Lochboisdale, South Uist, seen, 26th and 29th July.

(H. Holmes, Field 11th Aug., 1917: 219).

[KAN].

History Henry Holmes from Grogarry Lodge, Lochboisdale (1917) in The Field of 11th Aug., Vol. CXXX. p. 219, says: 'On July 26 I saw a White-winged Black Tern here; it was noticed again on July 29 hawking flies above a reed bed.'

Comment No identification details for this sight record. Not acceptable.

0). 1922 Kent Romney Marsh, male, shot, 15th May.

(W. Ruskin Butterfield, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 3: 263; Harrison, 1953).

[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].

History W. Ruskin Butterfield (1923) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. III. p. 263, says: 'A male was shot in Romney Marsh on May 15th.' It was accepted locally (Harrison 1953 (1): 452).

Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.

0). 1932 Angus & Dundee Near Arbroath, Forfarshire, seen, mid-July.

("D.G.H." The Scotsman Jul., 1932; H. W. Robinson, Scottish Naturalist 52: 171; Crighton, 1976).

[Baxter & Rintoul, 1953; Boase, 1955; D. G. Andrew, Scottish Birds 3: 391].

History H. W. Robinson of Lancaster (1932) in the Scottish Naturalist, Vol. LII. p. 171, says: 'Writing in the Nature Column of The Scotsman in July under the initials D.G H., the writer stated that he saw among a large number of Common Terns, a specimen of the White-winged Black Tern (Chlidonias leucoptera = Sterna leucoptera), which he rightly stated to be the first record for Scotland. I wrote to him for locality to receive a letter from his sister to the effect that her brother was found dead at his desk on 29th July, with my letter, which he was just about to answer, before him. The late Mr. Douglas Gordon Hunter evidently saw the bird in mid-July near Arbroath, and I have little doubt but that his identification was correct. The Terns were on passage and not on a breeding colony. In The Practical Handbook, it is given as a rare vagrant, mostly April and May, sometimes in small flocks, three in autumn. Although there are a number of records from the south and south-eastern counties of England, there are only three from the north, viz., one from Durham and two from Yorkshire.'

Boase (1955) stated that it has not been accepted as an authentic record.

0). 1934 Norfolk Horsey, seen, undated.

(A. Buxton, Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society 13: 471).

[KAN].

History A. Buxton (1934) in the Transactions of the Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society, Vol. XIII. p. 471, says: 'the White-winged Black Tern was seen at close range by my keeper, who without the smallest hesitation pounced on the portrait of the bird, in Dresser's Birds of Europe.'

Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. No identification details for this sight record. Not acceptable.

0). 1935 Suffolk Orford, killed, undated.

(H. Murrell, Transactions of the Suffolk Naturalists' Society 3: 110).

[Piotrowski, 2003].

History In an Editorial (1935) in the Transactions of the Suffolk Naturalists' Society, Vol. III. p. 110, he says: 'A large number of wildfowl, swans, geese, ducks, etc., have been in the neighbourhood of Orford during the severe weather. Mr. Hunt of the Castle Hotel shot a Hooded Merganser in fine condition ['one adult male,Orford January 1894 was a Merganser', Ticehurst baldly asserts in 1932, p. 3030, sine ref.]. Mr. Chambers killed a White-winged Black Tern [Hydrochelidon leucoptera, Schz.]: Prof. Babington has only a record of Mr. Booth killing four, two males and two females in full summer plumage on 26 May 1871 at Breydon (E. Anglian D. Times of 11 January 1894), though it has been noted there on a half-dozen later occasions, singly at also Fritton and on the Hollesley coast.'

Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.

0). 1937 Hampshire River Avon, two small parties at intervals, 29th May.

(F. C. R. Jourdain, Ornithological Report for the County of Hampshire, 1937: 100).

[Eds., British Birds 32: 159].

History F. C. R. Jourdain (1937) in the Ornithological Report of the County of Hampshire, p. 100, says: 'Two small parties of White-winged Black Terns passing up the Avon at some hours interval on May 29th were positively identified by Mr. Neville Gladstone (who knows Black Terns well) as this species (per C.M.P.).'

In an Editorial (1938) in British Birds, Vol. XXXII. p. 159, in a Review of the Ornithological Report for the County of Hampshire, for 1937, they say: 'Two small parties of White-winged Black Terns passing up the Avon at some hours interval on May 29th were "positively identified" by Mr. Neville Gladstone, who knows Black Terns well, but no details of their distinctive characters are vouchsafed!'

Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. No identification details for this sight record. Not acceptable.

0). 1943 Sussex Pett Level, three, 17th May.

(N. F. Ticehurst, Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 7: 153).

[des Forges & Harber, 1963].

History N. F. Ticehurst (1949) in the Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. VII. p. 153, says: 'Three, Pett Level, May 17th, 1943 (R.C. 110). Our ninth record.'

Comment Most of R. Cooke's records have been found to be not proven. Not acceptable.

0). 1956 Nottinghamshire Nottingham Sewage-farm, 2nd September, two, 3rd September.

(A. Dobbs, Birds of Nottinghamshire Report 1955-57: 31).

[J. Hopper et al., Nottinghamshire Bird Report 1994: 87].

History A. Dobbs (1957) in the Report on the Birds of Nottinghamshire, p. 31, says: '1956. One, September 2nd, N.S.F. Had paler wings than Black Terns, no black patches on shoulder, tail particularly white. Noted at rest and in flight (C.A.B.); two, September 3rd, N.S.F. At rest. They looked paler than Black Terns. No dark breast patches. White, or nearly white, rumps. One had a dark bill, while the other had a dark brown bill with red or orange on it. The only dark parts were crown and sides of head. Dull red legs. The flew off direct SW when disturbed. (H.B.).'

J. Hopper et al. (1994) in the Nottinghamshire Bird Report, p. 8, state that the details provided are very inconclusive.

Comment Not accepted locally.

0). 1957 Nottinghamshire King's Mill Reservoir, Mansfield, adult, 8th June.

(A. Dobbs, Birds of Nottinghamshire Report 1955-57: 31).

[J. Hopper et al., Nottinghamshire Bird Report 1992: 100].

History A. Dobbs (1957) in the Report on the Birds of Nottinghamshire, p. 31, says: '1957. One adult in breeding plumage, 14.30 hrs. to 16.45 hrs., June 8th, Mansfield Res. Black with light to white shoulders, under wings black, white tail, legs appeared lighter than body, bill appeared black. (T.L.).'

J. Hopper et al. (1992) in the Nottinghamshire Bird Report, p. 100, state that the observer obtained all details except the colour of the legs and bill. But none of these details feature in his account of the observation.

Comment Not accepted locally.

0). 1957 Yorkshire Hornsea Mere, 28th to 29th September and 2nd and 6th October.

(R. Chislett, Naturalist 83: 58).

[R. Chislett, Naturalist 83: 58].

History R. Chislett (1958) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. LXXXIII. p. 58, recording the record in square brackets, says: 'A marsh tern, in nearly complete winter plumage, was watched for two hours at Hornsea Mere on September 28th by G. R. Bennett, and seen on the 29th by M. K. Taylor and G.R.B. It was also seen on October 2nd by R.W.D. and again on October 6th by M.K.T. The notes taken point to this species with very slight discrepancies which may be due to state of moult or individual differences. The three marsh terns in winter or immature plumages are notoriously difficult to identify in the field, and I do not feel able to do more than admit probability.'

AC Non-pass

Keith Naylor

White-winged Tern

Chlidonias leucopterus (Temminck, 1815) (62, 19)

Whiskered Tern

Ross’s Gull