Bridled Tern (Dendrocygna autumnalis)

Bridled Tern was removed from the LBRC Review List on 7 Sep 1996

Accepted Records

One immature (1979-10; was 81-32) photographed 70 miles south-southeast of Grand Isle on 21 July 1979 (Dan Purrington; Joe Kennedy, Jim Stewart, Bruce Crider, Bob Newman).

One (1983-003) on 2 September 1983, Gulf of Mexico: 19 mi. SSE mouth South Pass of Mississippi River; Robert D. Purrington (ph).

One adult and three immatures (85-22) about 20 miles South-southeast of Southwest Pass of the Mississippi River on 10 June 1985 (B. Mac Myers III).

Six immatures (89-120) on 29 May 1989, Plaquemines: about 20-24 mi. SSE South Pass of Mississippi River; B. Mac Myers III, David P. Muth, R. D. Purrington, Daniel Brady Muth. Locality given as "15-20 mi. south of South Pass" in AB 43(3):493.

Twenty-five, most in first alternate plumage, some in second alternate (90-107) on 28 May 1990, Gulf of Mexico: approx. 15 mi. S mouth of South Pass of Mississippi River; Steven W. Cardiff (LSUMZ 139593, 139594, 152603) and Donna L. Dittmann (*)(AB 44(3):442).

Two (92-42) on 27 Aug. 1992, Pointe Coupee: False River; Curtis A. Marantz (ph) and Andrew W. Kratter (Marantz and Kratter 1998; AB 47(l):104). This observation was associated with the passage of Hurricane Andrew.

One adult (92-56) on 27 Aug 1992, Iberville: 3.7 mi. N of St. Gabriel; J. V. Remsen, Jr.; AB 47(1): 104. This bird was associated with Hurricane Andrew (Marantz and Kratter 1998; Remsen 1998).

One adult (92-57) on 28 Aug. 1992, near boundary of Jefferson and St. Charles: Lake Salvador; David P. Muth (Muth 1998; AB 47(l):104). This observation was associated with the passage of Hurricane Andrew.

One immature (94-121) on 9 Jan 1994, Gulf of Mexico (off Terrebonne): South Timbalier 100 oil platform; Donna L. Dittmann; NASFN 49(2): 157. This represents the first winter record for Louisiana.

Fifty-nine, most in non-breeding plumage (95-71) on 27 May 1995, Gulf of Mexico: approx. 40 mi. SSE mouth of South Pass of the Mississippi River, Dwight E. Peake (ph), Roger J. Breedlove, and Joseph P. Kleiman (FN 49(3):262). Up to 19 (1995-96) on 16 Sep 1995, Gulf of Mexico: 30-60 mi. S of mouth Southwest Pass of Mississippi River; John P. Sevenair (ph), Roger Breedlove, and David P. Muth (card only); NASFN50(1):68.

Unaccepted Records

Two adults (1995-70) on 8 Apr 1995, Gulf of Mexico: South Timbalier Block 130, 37 mi. SSW of Grand Isle. This record received split votes through three circulations. During a fourth circulation Discussion, members agreed that the description was just too brief and noted that the observer was not 100% certain of the identification, having no prior experience with this species. The description was also written two months after the observation date. Although the description did strongly suggest this species, members believed that the record should be held to a somewhat higher standard because it would represent the earliest spring occurrence for the state.