Caspian Tern,Sterna caspia.
July 18 to October 10 and May 10 to 31. Fairly common transient in small numbers in fall. Many fewer
records for spring. Most sightings involve a few birds or small flocks, occasionally as many as a
dozen individuals. Flocks seen in fall in the Ozarks usually include immature birds that the adults
are feeding. A flock of 53 flew over Lake Sequoyah on September 16, 1982, and 27 were at Lake Frances
on September 2, 1986.
Forster's Tern,Sterna forsteri.
July 11 to October 2 and April 15 to May 26+. Fairly common transient, especially in fall. Observed on
open bodies of water throughout the region. A flock of 11 was at the state fish hatchery on July 29, 1982,
following the passage of a heavy rain storm. A total of 20 were seen at Lake Sequoyah on September 29, 1980.
Two adults were seen at Bob Kidd Lake on June 8, 1986.
Black Tern,Chlidonias niger.
July 21 to September 26 and May 3 to June 16. Fairly common transient — the most numerous of the
terns that migrate through the western Arkansas Ozarks. Single individuals and small flocks are
widespread during migration. A flock of 60 was at the state fish hatchery on May 12, 1984.