Arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea) and Common tern (Sterna hirundo)
Key Findings
- Arctic terns (Sterna paradisaea) and Common terns (Sterna hirundo) are common summer visitors to the East Grampian Coast with large numbers breeding at the Forvie National Nature Reserve. These species nest together and are tricky to tell apart especially as young birds, because of this number of fledglings at the reserve is not separated when surveyed so the best available data lumps the two together.
- Sandwich terns and Common terns are both Amber list species.
- It is estimated that there are around 11,000 breeding pairs in the UK of Common terns in the UK of which around half breed in large colonies on the coast with the rest breeding around inland ponds and lakes.
- It is estimated that there are around 54,000 breeding pairs of Arctic terns in the UK with the vast majority being on the coasts of Scotland and Northern Ireland.
- Between 2009 and 2020 Common terns showed a steady increase at the Ythan although numbers dipped in 2021 before recovering in 2022/23. It is likely that this species has been effected by avian influenza.
- Arctic tern numbers rose rapidly between 2009 and 2016 before falling since then, testing numbers still remain double the 2009 figure. It is likely that this species has been effected by avian influenza.
- Elsewhere around 200 pairs of Common tern nest on an island at the RSPB Loch of Strathbeg reserve. 20 pairs are also known to nest of a rooftop on a commercial premises in Westhill.
Arctic Tern - Forvie National Nature Reserve - IanHayWildlife
Figure compiled from the North East Scotland Bird Report and NatureScot
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Status
Live. Next update due 22/11/24
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E-mail: ian.hay@stateofthecoast.scot
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