Several folks have been reporting sightings of a Caspian tern at Hoover
Reservoir near Columbus on this list over the past few days. This would
be a record early date for this earliest-returning tern species in Ohio,
but not shockingly early. Turns out Vic Fazio, in his screening of eBird
reports, sought photos of this bird and found it might well be a royal
tern, Ohio's second record. I have the feeling he's right, though I'd
like to see more photos to be sure.
So far this report has gone out to a short list of various poobahs, and
eventually it will go the Ohio Bird Records Committee for verification.
I want to let everyone know now that this bird, if it's still around, is
well worth looking for if you're a state or county lister. Please take
careful notes, and the best photos you can manage, if you find a tern of
any kind, let alone a big one, at Hoover now.  It would be a
record-early appearance for the state no matter what tern species it is,
and as far as I can see the chances are good it's a royal. Send your
best documentation to the Ohio Bird Records Committee chair Ned Keller
at   [log in to unmask]
and thanks,
Bill Whan
Columbus

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