Second spotting of rare White Tern in the Caribbean

On August 11, a rare White Tern was observed at Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge in St. Croix, marking only the second instance of this species being recorded in the West Indies. The sighting was made by Jennifer Valiulis, the Executive Director of the St. Croix Environmental Association. This event is significant for the region and highlights the essential role of protected areas in the Caribbean like Sandy Point in offering refuge to disoriented and fatigued birds.

Jennifer initially mistook the bird for a Least Tern, a common species in the area. “I first assumed it was a Least Tern,” she noted. “But as I looked closer, I realized the markings weren’t right.”

In contrast to the smaller, gray-backed Least Tern, this bird was larger, completely white, and featured striking black eyes. After sharing her photographs with ornithologists, they confirmed it as a White Tern, a species predominantly found in the Pacific around Hawaii and rarely seen in the southern Atlantic. The first recorded sighting of a White Tern in the West Indies occurred in San Salvador, The Bahamas, in June 2010.

The West Indies is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot, home to over 700 bird species, including 180 that are endemic to the region. It serves as a crucial stopover for migratory birds, with more than 180 species either wintering there or resting before continuing their journey to South America.

Dr. Rhiannon Austin, a seabird specialist based in the Turks and Caicos Islands, explained that the bird may have been displaced by a storm or strong winds, a phenomenon referred to as “vagrancy,” where birds appear far outside their normal ranges. While vagrancy has always been a natural occurrence, it is becoming more common, with climate change significantly influencing these patterns.

Dr. Lisa Sorenson, Executive Director of BirdsCaribbean, a nonprofit organization focused on the conservation of Caribbean avifauna, stated, “The sighting of the vagrant White Tern in St. Croix underscores the growing impact of climate change on bird movements. Changes in weather patterns disrupt traditional migratory routes, behaviors, and food availability, forcing birds to stray from their typical habitats and ranges. This highlights the urgent need to protect diverse and resilient habitats as climate change continues to disrupt ecosystems globally.”

As climate patterns evolve, an increasing number of displaced birds will depend on safe-havens. Conservation areas in the Caribbean, such as Sandy Point, are essential not only for safeguarding local wildlife but also for providing refuge to distant species in need.

Jennifer’s experience serves as a reminder to appreciate nature, trust one’s instincts, and document unusual sightings.

“Even if it isn’t something very rare, the observation is still valuable,” she advises. “Sometimes those anomalies turn out to be something really unusual and exciting—like a White Tern on St. Croix!”

Jennifer was unsuccessful when she returned to Sandy Point in hopes of seeing the White Tern again. With Tropical Storm Ernesto approaching, she had to shift her focus to preparing for the hurricane. Along with her fellow birdwatchers, she plans to continue the search, hoping to add this rare bird to their lists. However, the storm may have relocated the bird to another island. Birdwatchers in the region are encouraged to remain vigilant for an all-white tern with a pointed black beak.