White-winged Tern (Chlidonias leucopterus) - 29May2020

This was probably the best bird of the year for 2020, for me at least.  The species is far ranging in the eastern hemisphere, but records to the western hemisphere are few and far between.  In North Carolina, I think there was only one record in 1994 before this one was found in 2020 at Salt Pond on the outer banks.  This species blends the black-and-white color scheme perfectly with its dark head and body contrasting in a very elegant way with the white wings.

Here it is flying in front of the famous Buxton Light.