ML623015894

Observation details

Found by Andrew Orgill earlier in the afternoon in the same area along the Gulf beach. Slightly smaller than Common and Forster's Terns, nearby, with considerably shorter legs, and long primaries. Dark carpal bar, wing coverts quite worn. Head look rather small and rounded, black mask area, extending to top of crown or near. Back of head and nape dusky. Thin, short black bill. I observed about 4 minutes from about 80-100 feet while the bird was sitting on the beach with assorted flock. Several of the birds then flushed and flew out into the Gulf, veering north, entering Nueces County.