Saturday, September 12, 2026

Elegant Tern in Lee County

 Saturday September 12th

Yesterday an Elegant Tern was located at Bunche Beach near Ft Myers by Oscar Johnson. This species is endemic to the Pacific Ocean and only rarely appears in Florida. 


Elegant Tern at Bunche Beach

Not a lifer for me, but diffidently a new bird for Lee County. 

American Oystercatchers at Bunche Beach

So today, with a low level of expectation to relocate the tern, headed to Bunche during a nice low tide. Ran into Vince McGrath, who hadn't seen it yet and Gail Campbell and Ellen Oneil. I didn't spot it and was actually heading home when Merlin claimed to have captured an Elegant Tern. So turned around to make another try. Ellen located a suspect among the hundreds of sandwich terns. We determined that we had it and called Vince to come back. 


Banded Piping Plover at Bunche Beach

We were joined by Dave McQuaide, the Warrens and the Clelands.


Hopefully It hang for a while.


Sandwich Tern with its breakfast

Other species today included Royal Terns, Sandwich Terns, American Oystercatchers a large number of Red Knots and Piping Plovers, eBird Checklist - 12 Sep 2026 - San Carlos Bay/Bunche Beach Preserve - 31 species

Rosette Spoonbill

Common Tern

Elegant Tern

Red Knot


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