Voting Comments

Voting Comments

Record #: 16-B-98

Least Tern

1st Round: 6-1
2nd Round: 7-0
ACCEPT

1^st Round (6 Accept, 1 Reject)	2^nd Round (7 Accept, 0 Reject)
05-28-2007. Sturts -- Accept The bird was observed close up and the distictive field marks of this bird were observed. The Observer is very familiar with this species.	07-22-2007. Sturts -- Accept I'm staying with my initial vote to accept this record. Thank you Charles,for clearing up the yellow vs. orange bill issue.
6/7/07. Cliff Weisse -- Reject, specific identification not established Despite the reoprted size of this tern, "1/2 - 2/3 the size of Forster's Tern", the bill is described as orange with black tip which no plumage of Least Tern would have but is consistent with Forster's or Common Terns, the expeceted species in Idaho. In addition the head pattern as described could be that of a molting Forster's or Common Tern.	7/28/07. Cliff Weisse -- Accept I'm changing my vote because of the confirmation of the fact that Least Tern can indeed show an orange, or orange tinged, bill. I would still like to see more details in the description, especially from an observer with extensive experience with the species, including the obvious contrast between inner and outer primaries. However the description is sufficient to confirm the identification as presented.
8 June 2007. Hardy -- Accept Observer states experience with Least Tern, and notes small size relative to Forster's, orange bill with black tip, and white forehead; all of these eliminate other tern species.	6 August 2007. Hardy -- Accept same comments as first round
06-12-2007. Dave Trochlell -- Accept This was a very good description, and very believable circumstances in which to encounter a vagrant Least Tern.	08-03-2007. Dave Trochlell -- Accept I'm going to stick with my original vote to accept this record, mainly because of Robert's convincing description of the bird and his experience with the species.
06-13-2007. Carlisle -- Accept My only hesitation is the mention of an orange bill (yellow in Least) - however, the rest is convincing (size, calls, etc.).	7-29-07. Carlisle -- Accept same feelings as 1st round vote - I think that the description of the call and the observer's prior experience helped convince me. Also, that Charles dug up some info on the orange bill phenomenon (that I've never personally seen but maybe I haven't looked at the right time of year).
07-02-2007. chuck trost -- Accept good description	08-07-2007. chuck trost -- Accept The small size and head pattern convince me. The bill color of orange isn't that different from "yellow" and the bill changes to black in non breding.
7/7/06. Charles Swift -- Accept A reasonably good description from an observer familiar with the species. Call is quite distinctive in this species. I noted the mention of orange rather than yellow bill but these are close colors and this was not a red flag in my mind.	7/29/07. Charles Swift -- Accept See previous comments.