E 

 o 



•4-» 



XXX 

 X X 

 X 



,', , , 



JFMAMJJASOND 



month 



1=0.1-1.0 1=1.1-10 



MEAN NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS OBSERVED PER HOUR 

 X = ZONE NOT SAMPLED IN THIS MONTH 



Figure 30. Seasonal abundance and seaward distribution patterns of the least 

 terns in the northern Chesapeake Bight, 1971-1977. 



ROYAL TERN (Sterna maxima ) 



Statu s. --Uncommon to locally common breeding bird in coastal areas along 

 the Delmarva Peninsula; forages over shallow coastal waters usually within 20 

 km of shore (Fig. 31). 



Normal period of occurrence . --Mid-April to late November. 



M aximum counts . --18 in 5 h, 2-9 km E Ocean City, 14 May 1972; 9 in 3 h, 

 15-22 km ENE Indian River Inlet, Delaware, 11 August 1974; 12 in 1.5 h, 2-20 

 km, ESE Ocean City, 7 September 1975. 



42 



