Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2026-15
| Common name: |
Least Tern |
| Scientific name: | Sternula antillarum |
| Date: | April 8, 2026 |
| Time: | 1700 |
| Length of time observed: | 10 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | Adult |
| Sex: | UNK |
| Location: | Timpie Springs WMA |
| County: | Tooele |
| Latilong: | 40.750010,-112.637367 |
| Elevation: | 4,200ft |
| Distance to bird: | 60 feet |
| Optical equipment: | Nikon D5600 camera, Sigma S1 150-600mm lens |
| Weather: | Partly cloudy |
| Light Conditions: | Mix of sun and partial shade |
| Description: Size of bird: | Small - killdeer sized |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | Ternlike. Long wings, pointy bill |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | gray mantle, darker outer primaries, black cap |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | Pointy |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
While watching a group of California gulls fly by, about 60 feet from
the dyke, I noticed a tiny bird (relative to the gulls) mixed in. My
initial thought was "Huh, that looks like a shorebird." I reached for my
camera as the wings looked way too long to be a killdeer and as soon as
I got the lens on it, the bird dropped to the water. I knew then it was
a tern and watched it do the flutter flaps to regain flight. Being
familiar with the species, along with all expected terns in Utah, I knew
it had to be a least based on size alone. I snapped several photos as it
quickly worked its way west, and away from me. Photos revealed a
diagnostic bright yellow bill and white supercilium / forehead cutting
into black cap. (see photos) |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | N/A |
| Behavior: | Darting, flighty flight. Dove to the water to hunt fish. |
| Habitat: | Managed wetland along historic GSL level |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
All North American terns eliminated by size alone. Forster's, common, arctic eliminated by color of bill, length of tail, etc. Little tern was considered but this bird appeared to lack the dark tip to bill and had a shorter tail. (and no Little Terns have ever been confirmed in the US). Interior group of least terns begin migration in April and is when all reported sightings in Utah take place (Apr to Jun) |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
Local species - very familiar. LETE - seen in California (SD Bay) and became quite familiar with flight patterns, color pattern etc |
| References consulted: | Sibley, eBird, Terns of North America by Cameron Cox |
| Description from: |
Notes taken at the time of the sighting From photo(s) taken at the time of the sighting |
| Observer: | Patrick McAtee |
| Observer's address: | 247 S 360 W Tooele, UT 84074 |
| Observer's e-mail address: | ** |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | |
| Date prepared: | 4/10/2026 |
| Additional material: | Photos |
| Additional comments: |
|