ARTIC TERNS

Arctic terns are the ultimate long distance migrants - summer visitors to the UK and winter visitors to the Antarctic. Arctic Terns are slender terns with long, angular wings and pointed wingtips. They have a small round head with a steep forehead and extremely short legs.

Artwork by Esme Last.

The arctic tern is famed for its aggression towards any that would disturb its nest - it will dive-bomb intruders with its sharp beak. Large, noisy colonies can be found on the Farne Islands and Northern Isles, in particular.