Arctic Tern

With its long tail streamers and general shape the Arctic Tern deserves the local name of “sea swallow”. Appearing white with a black cap and blood red bill and legs, it is largely a coastal bird although it can be seen inland on migration.

Arctic Terns are the ultimate long distance migrants - summer visitors to northern Europe and the Arctic and winter visitors to the Antarctic.

European birds start to arrive back from their Antarctic winter break in May with northernmost birds arriving back in June. Many birds occur inland during their migration north and pass through central England in late April and early May. Migration south commences after breeding in late July and August.

Breeding Arctic Terns can best be seen on islands such as the Farne Islands in Northumberland or Orkney and Shetland in northern Scotland where the greatest densities occur.

Date: 1st June 2008

Location: Lunnasting, East Mainland, Shetland