Least Tern (Sternula antillarum), Sweetwater Wetlands, Pima County

This Least Tern was found and photographed by Andrew Core on 15 May 2015

Once a casual visitor to Arizona, this species has increased in the last few years and the first nesting record for the state was in 2010 in Glendale. It is nearly annual in the Phoenix and Willcox areas in mid May and June.This species is still rather rare in Pima County. Previous reports at Sweetwater were on 6 Jun 2012, 16 Jun 10 and 14 June 2009.

Adult unmistakable with white forehead and yellow bill, tiny size

15 May 2015, photo by Andrew Core

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