Least Tern (Sternula antillarum), Gilbert Water Ranch, Maricopa County

This Least Tern was discovered and photographed by Brendon Grice on 11 May 2010 fishing over pond 5 at the Gilbert Water Ranch from 4:45pm till about 7pm.

Once a casual visitor to Arizona, this species has increased steadily over the last few years and the first nesting record for the state occurred last year in Glendale.  It is now annual at Gilbert Water Ranch and at Willcox during mid May and this is the fifth year in a row it has been recorded in that time frame at Gilbert. 

Diagnostic white forehead and yellow bill with black tip.  

11 May 2010, photos by Brendon Grice

All photos are copyrighted© by photographer