Birds of the Lower Ohio River Valley in West Virginia

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GULLS, TERNS

Common Tern  Sterna hirundo

WINTER:  NO RECORDS.

SUMMER:  Casual Migrant from mid-August to late August. Accidental in July. One July record: three (definitive plumage) on 17 July 2004 at Byrd Locks & Dam (PA, WA).  Seven August records  one on 11 August 2005 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA); two on 13 August 1969 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS); fifteen on 21 August 1994 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA); one on 24 August 2000 at Byrd Locks & Dam (MG); three on 25 August 2007 at Byrd Locks & Dam (MG, DP); two on 30 August 2007 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA); one on 31 August 2005 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA, JB, MG).

MIGRATION:

 Spring:  Casual Migrant from late April to mid-May.  Early dates, one on 09 April 1989 at Harris River Front Park (WA, MG); seven on 19 April 1971 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS); two on 20 April 1969 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS).  Late dates, one on 29 May 1976 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS); one on 21 May 2003 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA); two on 20 May 1992 on the Ohio River at Green Bottom WMA (WA); one on 18 May 1969 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS) and 12 on 18 May 1992 at Harris River Front Park (WA).  See Remarks section for high counts.

 Fall:  Casual Migrant from late August to late September.  Late dates, three on 25 November 1952 at Huntington, WV (HCL) (Edeburn et al. 1960); three on 18 October 1970 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS); one on 10 October 1970 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (HS); two on 26 September 2000 at Barboursville, Cabell Co., WV (WA).  See Remarks section for high counts.

REMARKS:

Spring High Counts:  27 on 11 May 1989 at Harris River Front Park (WA); 17 on 29 April 2005 at Crab Creek, Mason Co., WV (WA); 15 on 05 May 2004 on the Ohio River, Mason Co., WV (WA, JB); 12 on 18 May 1992 at Harris River Front Park (WA).

Fall High Counts:  10 on 01 September 1974 at Byrd Locks & Dam (HS).