{"id":27574,"date":"2023-05-23T11:56:19","date_gmt":"2023-05-23T09:56:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=146103"},"modified":"2023-05-23T12:36:58","modified_gmt":"2023-05-23T10:36:58","slug":"arctic-tern-guide-migration-identification-and-distribution","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/arctic-tern-guide-migration-identification-and-distribution\/","title":{"rendered":"Arctic tern guide: migration, identification and distribution"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Arctic tern has the longest regular migration in the world, flying as much as 90,000km in a year. Learn more about this seabird, including what it looks like, migration and distribution with our guide to Arctic terns <\/p>

By Dominic Couzens\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 23 May 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

The Arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea<\/em>) is a true record-breaker; the bird with the longest regular migration<\/a> in the world.<\/p>\n

It is a common seabird<\/a> in the north of Britain and especially numerous in Scotland, with 52,500 breeding pairs, and can be seen from April to October.<\/p>\n

In this guide we take a closer look at the Arctic tern, including what they look like, migration patterns, habitat and distribution.<\/p>\n

Interested in learning more about Britain\u2019s birds? Check out our guides to puffins<\/a>, gannets<\/a> and auks<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Terns of Britain<\/h4>\n

Arctic terns, common terns and little terns grace Britain\u2019s shores in the summers months. Learn how to identify them \u2013 and other tern species \u2013 with BBC Countryfile Magazine\u2019s guide to terns<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p><\/div>

\""Arctic\"<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>

Arctic tern identification<\/h2>\n

The Arctic tern torments birdwatchers, forming a duo with the common tern, two species that are very difficult to tell apart \u2013 and the roseate tern makes things even more difficult.<\/p>\n

The Arctic tern is lighter and more \u2018fluttery\u2019 on the wing than the common, its wings look whiter and more translucent, and it has a longer tail, but these are all features that require fine judgment \u2013 hence many birdwatchers give up and use the hybrid term \u2018commic tern\u2019 instead.<\/p>\n

\""Arctic\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Arctic tern has a longer tail than the common tern\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Arctic tern migration<\/h2>\n

Boasting the longest regular bird migration in the world, the Arctic tern is a true record breaker. It breeds in the northern hemisphere, often well above the Arctic Circle, and then flies all the way to the other end of the world, to Antarctica, where it spends our winter. It might fly as much as 90,000km in a year.<\/p>\n

And what is particularly intriguing is that it probably encounters more daylight than any other animal in the world (along with any ticks<\/a> or mites it might carry!). A bird in its lifetime may migrate 2.4 million kilometres.<\/p>\n

\""Arctic\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The Arctic tern has a light, \u2018fluttery\u2019 flight pattern\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Arctic tern distribution and habitat<\/h2>\n

Arctic terns are mostly northerly in Britain and are especially numerous in Scotland, where there are some large colonies. In the Western Isles, Shetland<\/a> and Orkney they are ubiquitous, very much a feature of the long summers there.<\/p>\n

\""Arctic\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Arctic terns are mostly found in northern Britain\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Arctic tern breeding, eggs and chicks<\/h2>\n

Arctic tern colonies are a maelstrom of noise and activity. Every so often there is a mass terror, and all members of the colony take off and fly around in panic; strangely, there is often no obvious reason why they do this, and the phenomenon is known as a \u2018dread\u2019.<\/p>\n

If all goes well, Arctic terns will typically lay two eggs (other terns often lay three) and both sexes will incubate them and look after the young.<\/p>\n

Seabirds of Britain<\/h4>\n

Discover some of the UK\u2019s most common types of seabird, where they live and the best places to see them with BBC Countryfile Magazine\u2018s guide to seabirds<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p><\/div>

\""Gannets\"<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section> <\/body><\/html>\n
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