{"id":27590,"date":"2023-05-23T14:36:37","date_gmt":"2023-05-23T12:36:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=146144"},"modified":"2023-05-23T15:35:32","modified_gmt":"2023-05-23T13:35:32","slug":"black-tern-guide-migration-identification-and-feeding","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/black-tern-guide-migration-identification-and-feeding\/","title":{"rendered":"Black tern guide: migration, identification and feeding"},"content":{"rendered":"

The black tern is a passage migrant in the UK and part of a group known as the ‘marsh terns’. Learn more about this seabird, including what it looks like, migration and distribution with our guide to black terns <\/p>

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

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

\n\n

The black tern (Chlidonias niger)<\/em> is very much the \u2018other\u2019 tern<\/a> of the UK, not least because it doesn\u2019t normally breed here. It is one of a group known as the \u2018marsh terns\u2019, named for breeding in freshwater habitats, such as marshes.<\/p>\n

It is a passage migrant only in the UK, seen from May to September.<\/p>\n

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

Interested in learning more about Britain\u2019s seabirds<\/a>? 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>

Black tern identification<\/h2>\n

The black tern is smaller than a common tern<\/a>, with long wings but a very short tail in comparison.<\/p>\n

In summer it\u2019s gorgeous, with beautiful inky-black body plumage and paler grey wings,\u00a0as well as red legs.<\/p>\n

In autumn and winter, it is distinctively blackish, with a black cap and hood behind the eye. In common with other terns<\/a> it is typically sociable, not just nesting in colonies, but also generally travelling in small parties during the non-breeding season.<\/p>\n

\""Black\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
In summer, the black tern has an inky-black body and paler grey wings\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Black tern nesting habits<\/h2>\n

Black terns are \u2018marsh terns\u2019, named for breeding in freshwater habitats, such as marshes. Common terns also do this, but they nest on solid surfaces, while black terns have the intriguing habit of nesting on floating vegetation, such as waterlilies, and their eggs have special shells adapted to getting damp. Things often go wrong!<\/p>\n

\""Black\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Black terns have the intriguing habit of nesting on floating vegetation\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Black tern feeding and diet<\/h2>\n

Black terns take many more insects than any other tern. Typically, you see them flying buoyantly low over fresh water, jinking one way and then the next, then suddenly dipping down to snap up a damselfly<\/a> or other aquatic insect from close to the surface. They will ply a beat over a rich source of food relentlessly.<\/p>\n

Then, oddly, they transfer their freshwater existence for a saltwater one, spending months out at sea through the winter, in the tern-rich waters off the west coast of Africa.<\/p>\n

\""Roseate\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Black tern is a passage migrant in the UK\/Credit: Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

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

The black tern is a difficult bird to see in Britain, really only spotted on passage in May and early June, and then again from August onwards. It often visits reservoirs, but also passes sheltered coasts.<\/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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