Least Tern
Sternula antillarum Lesson, R, 1847 (0, 1)
Photo © By Pacific Southwest Region USFWS from Sacramento, US - Federally endangered California least tern adult, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=68989446
STATUS
North and Central America. Polytypic.
OVERVIEW
The only individual kept returning for nine years to Rye Harbour and was picked up by its distinctive call. It visited Essex once near the end of its many visits. At the time it was considered one of the Nearctic races of Little Tern S. albifrons. However, some time after 2006 it was split into a full species. Adults disperse from their breeding grounds during their primary moult in late May.
The rump and tail are of the same grey colour as the mantle, with more white showing in the outer tail feathers, however, sometimes Little Tern S. albifrons can display some of these featues.
BBRC RECORDS
1.00). 1983 Sussex Rye Harbour, male, 8th to 30th June.
(B. Yates & H. Taffs, Birding World 3 (6): 197-199, photo; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 98: 661; BOURC (2006), Ibis 148: 198-201; BOURC (2006), Ibis 148: 594; B. Yates, British Birds 103: 339-347).
1.01). 1984 Sussex Rye Harbour, male, mid-May to late June; presumed returning individual.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 98: 661).
1.02). 1985 Sussex Rye Harbour, male, heard only 30th May; presumed returning individual.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 98: 661; B. Yates, British Birds 103: 342).
1.03). 1986 Sussex Rye Harbour, male, heard only, 22nd May; presumed returning individual.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 98: 661; B. Yates, British Birds 103: 342).
1.04). 1987 Sussex Rye Harbour, male, mid-May to late June; presumed returning individual.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 98: 661).
1.05). 1988 Sussex Rye Harbour, male, heard only, 23rd May 8th June; presumed returning individual.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 98: 661; B. Yates, British Birds 103: 342).
1.06). 1989 Sussex Rye Harbour, male, heard only between 28th May and 24th June; presumed returning individual.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 98: 662; B. Yates, British Birds 103: 342).
1.07). 1990 Sussex Rye Harbour, male, 21st May to 12th July, sound-recorded; presumed returning individual.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 98: 662; B. Yates, British Birds 103: 342).
1.08). 1991 Sussex Rye Harbour, heard between 25th May and 13th July; also in Essex; presumed returning individual.
(B. Yates, British Birds 103: 342).
1.09). 1991 Essex Colne Point, 29th June to 1st July; presumed same as Sussex.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 98: 662).
1.10). 1992 Sussex Rye Harbour, male, 24th May to 12th July; presumed returning individual.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 98: 662; B. Yates, British Birds 103: 342).
