Chinese Crested Tern - Sterna bernsteini - has been seen and photographed in Pulau Lusaolate, north Seram, Indonesia. This is the first record of the species outside the breeding season for over 70 years.

Craig Robson noticed a roosting group of 30-40 Greater Crested Terns Sterna bergiion on some rocks just off the beach. Checking through the flock quickly he noticed one that might be a Lesser Crested Tern Sterna bengalensis. Checking with a telescope, he immediately realised that he was looking at a Chinese Crested Tern. He photographed the bird before it flew off round the island.

This amazing record begs the question of how many more Chinese Crested Tern are wintering in this region. Birders are  encouraged to survey wintering groups of Greater Crested Terns around the numerous islands in the Seram Sea and perhaps even further south in the Banda Sea. 

It is estimated that there are fewer than 50 Chinese Crested Terns alive today.