Phaethon lepturus Status: No accepted records. Taxonomy: There are six subspecies recognized in tropical oceans, one in the Americas, catesbyi of the Caribbean (AviList 2025). Comments: One reported flying along the South Platte River in Lincoln Co 13-14 May 1973 (Cortelyou 1973a) was later suggested to be a tern trailing a fishing line (Cortelyou 1973b). […]
ARCTIC TERN
Sterna paradisaea Status: Rare casual spring and fall migrant statewide. Documentation: Photograph: 20 Sep 2000 molting adult Lake Minatare, Scotts Bluff Co (Dinsmore 2000). Taxonomy: No subspecies are recognized (AviList 2025). Spring: There are three accepted records: 16-19 May 2003 alternate adult Lake McConaughy, Keith Co (Brogie 2004) 31 May 2015 alternate adult photographed Marsh […]
ROYAL TERN
Thalasseus maximus Status: Accidental in fall. Documentation: Specimen: UNSM ZM 18317, 10 Sep 2008 Platte Co. Taxonomy: No subspecies are currently recognized (AviList 2025). Fall: There is one record. A moribund individual was found at Lakes North and Babcock, Platte Co 8-10 Sep 2007 (Rehme et al 2008), following Hurricane Ike, which caused severe damage […]
ICELAND GULL
Larus glaucoides Status: Uncommon regular spring and fall migrant and winter visitor Keith and Lincoln Cos, rare elsewhere. Documentation: Description: 15 Jan 1907, Dorchester, Saline Co (Swenk 1907, Bray et al 1986). Because of the existence of a cline from west to east (dark to light) in overall coloration encompassing forms assigned as “groups” to L. […]
CALIFORNIA GULL
Larus californicus californicus, L. c. albertaensis Status: Fairly common regular spring and fall migrant North Platte River Valley in Keith and Lincoln Cos, uncommon elsewhere North Platte River Valley, rare elsewhere southern Panhandle, rare casual elsewhere. Locally uncommon regular summer and winter visitor North Platte River Valley (Keith and Lincoln Cos), rare casual elsewhere. Documentation: […]
GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL
Larus marinus Status: Rare casual spring and fall migrant statewide. Rare casual summer and winter visitor Keith and Lincoln Cos. Documentation: Photograph: 20 Jan-18 Mar 1996, first basic Lake McConaughy, Keith Co (Brogie 1997). Taxonomy: No subspecies are recognized (AviList 2025). Spring: Feb 12, 15, 15 <<<>>> Mar 29, Apr 3, 5 Only five of […]