Little Tern (Sternula albifrons)
Key Findings
- Little tern (Sternula albifrons) are a common summer visitor to the East Grampian Coast breeding in small numbers at the Ythan Estuary. They prefer shingle beaches and nest in lower densities than other terns at this site.
- Little tern are Amber list species.
- It is estimated that there are around 1,400 breeding pairs in the UK and around 300 in Scotland.
- Numbers at the Ythan vary greatly with some boom years such as 2009 and 2014. However, no successful breeding took place in 2015, 16, 17, 19 or 20. Numbers have increased since then but not to 2014 levels.
Little tern - Forvie National Nature Reserve - IanHayWildlife
Figure compiled from the North East Scotland Bird Report and NatureScot
Notes
Linked Information Sheets
Key sources of Information
Reviewed on/by
14/12/23 by Ian Hay
Status
Live. Next update due 22/11/24
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Telephone: 07971149117
E-mail: ian.hay@stateofthecoast.scot
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