[obol] Tualatin River NWR: Least Tern – Yes

[Bill Clemons]

Well, I succumbed, and drove out to see the LEAST TERN.  I had appointments through the middle of the day, so I did not get out to Tualatin River NWR to look for the LEAST TERN until 5:30pm.

When I first saw it, the magnificent little flier was hunting over the East-most pond, but eventually wandered to the West-most pond, and for a while it was, as others have noted, perched on a small (~football size) rock on a flatish, muddy point.  I watched the bird from about 5:45p until about 6:45p.  Like a fool, I left my scope home, but the binocular views were great anyway.  I did get a look through Paul Sullivan's scope while the LEAST TERN was perched on the rock.

This is a beautiful breeding plumage bird!  I think for as much as it was moving around this evening, it would present all viewpoints to binoculars.  I had a chance when it was perched, but forgot to look at the legs.  Every other point of this LEAST TERN is absolutely wonderful.  The closest it flew to observers on the trail was about 130-150 feet, and it made for a stunning lifer.

If you have not looked at the photos posted by Ed McVicker,  they are great pics!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10665268@N04/sets/72157605793434780/detail/

There were at least seven other birders there observing this lovely Tern.

My sincere thanks to those who found it, those who alerted OBOL, and all those who posted the timing of their sightings.
 
Bill Clemons
SW of Portland in Mtn Park
willclemons AT Yahoo dot com

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