Arctic tern, Sterna paradisaea Collecting sand eels for young

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With its long tail streamers and general shape the Arctic tern deserves the local name of 'sea swallow'. Appearing white with a black cap, it is largely coastal although it can be seen inland on migration. It depends on a healthy marine environment and some colonies have been affected by fish shortages. Arctic terns are the ultimate long distance migrants - summer visitors to the UK and winter visitors to the Antarctic. Food Mainly fish but also crustaceans and insects. Breeding terns can best be seen on island such as the Farne Islands in Northumberland or on the Northern Isles where the greatest breeding densities occur. Look out for them on spring passage at inland reservoirs and around the coast in autumn as they head south.

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Size: 5184px × 3456px
Location: Farne Islands
Photo credit: © TomsPhotos / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: arctic, artic, bird, caostal, coast, eels, farnes, history, islands, natural, nature, paradisaea, sand, sea, sterna, tern, wildlife