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Arctic Tern

Sterna paradisaea (Arctic tern)

With long tail streamers the Arctic tern is often called the 'sea swallow'. Appearing white with a black cap they are largely coastal although can be seen inland on migration. Like all seabirds, they depend on a healthy marine environment and some colonies have been affected by fish shortages. Arctic terns are the ultimate long distance migrants – they are summer visitors to the UK and winter visitors to the Antarctic.

Breeding

Generally along the coastline in open areas with sand or shingle, or on moorland/coastal heath. They are extremely vulnerable to predation, especially by ground predators, and in some areas are forced to nest on small islands which are free from mammals such as rats and mink.

Winter

Spend the winter entirely at sea, resting on floating objects and reaching south to the Antarctic pack ice.

Eat

Fish.

Sound

A harsh 'kee-airr' and a scolding 'kit-it-it-kaar'.

Spot them

They start to arrive back from their Antarctic winter break in May, with northernmost birds getting back in June. Many birds occur inland during their migration north, passing through central England in late April/early May. Migration south commences after breeding in late July and August. See them on the Isle of May, Bass Rock, Craigleith and Fidra.

Tern facts