Birds of the Lower Ohio River Valley in West Virginia
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Forster's Tern Sterna forsteri
WINTER: Accidental. One on 16 December 2007 (Huntington CBC).
SUMMER: Casual Migrant from mid-August to late August. Early dates, one on 07 August 2001 at Lesage, Cabell Co., WV (HS); one on 11 August 2005 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA); two on 11 August 2008 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA); four 16 August 2002 at Lesage, Cabell Co., WV (HS); 11 on 17 August 2002, on the Ohio River, at Crown City, Gallia Co., OH (HS). No July records. Two June records: Four on 04 June 2000 at Lesage, Cabell Co., WV (HS); four on 15 June 1996 at Harris River Front Park (HS). See Remarks section for high counts.
MIGRATION:
Spring: Uncommon to Fairly Common Migrant from late April to early May since 1989 (See Remarks section). Early dates, three on 11 April 2001 at Lesage, Cabell Co., WV (HS); four on 11 April 2004 at Byrd Locks & Dam (GR); two on 15 April 2007 at Crab Creek, Mason Co., WV (WA); two on 21 April 1997 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA); two on 22 April 2006 at Byrd Locks & Dam (MG, DP). Late dates one on 23 May 2008 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA); two on 21 May 2003 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA); 12 on 19 May 2005 at Lesage, Cabell Co., WV (HS); 15 on 13 May 2002 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA). See Remarks section for high counts.
Fall: Casual Migrant from early September to mid-November. Early dates (see Summer section), two on 01 September 2001 at Lesage, Cabell Co., WV (HS) and one on 01 September 2006 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA, JB, KK); two on 05 September 1997 at Harris River Front Park (WA, HS). Late dates, two on 16 November at Harris River Front Park (HS); four on 13 November 2000 and 12 November 2001 at Lesage, Cabell Co., WV (HS); four on 07 November 1992 at Green Bottom WMA (WA, MG). See Remarks section for high counts.
REMARKS:
Based on a photograph (Am. Birds 1989) by Michael Griffith, this species was removed from Hypothetical status in West Virginia (Hall 1991).
Summer High Counts: 50 on 21 August 1994 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA); 11 on 17 August 2002 on the Ohio River near Green Bottom WMA (HS).
Spring High Counts: 32 on 29 April 1989 at Kyger Creek Power Plant (WA); 15 on 13 May 2002 at Byrd Locks & Dam (WA); 14 on 04 May 1991 at Beech Fork Park (WA, JF, MG, AT); 12 on 19 May 2005 at Lesage, Cabell Co., WV (HS); 10 on 29 April 2005 (WA, MG) and 7 on 30 April 2005 (WA, PD, MG, DP, PT) at Byrd Locks & Dam; 6 on 28 April 1956 at Byrd Locks & Dam (HKL, HCL) (Edeburn et al. 1960); 5 on 25 April 2002 at Harris River Front Park (WA).
Fall High Counts: 8 on 18 September 2006 at Lesage, Cabell Co., WV (HS).