FORSTER'S TERN Sterna forsteri

Superficially similar to many other species in breeding plumage, the black mask in winter is distinctive but shows its close relationship to Snowy-crowned Tern. Found in many parts of the USA, it was formerly almost an annual visitor to the UK and Ireland, now it is a rare vagrant but birds often return to favoured sites for years, such a bird is currently in Ireland, and there is currently a long-stayer in Dorset.

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