Hidden nest
Common tern (Sterna hirundo)
From the cycle - Birds of Europe. You can see more my photos from this cycle by entering "Pawel's Birds of Europe" in the search box.
The common tern is a seabird in the family Laridae.
Breeding in a wider range of habitats than any of its relatives, the common tern nests on any flat, poorly vegetated surface close to water, including beaches and islands. The nest may be a bare scrape in sand or gravel, but it is often lined or edged with whatever debris is available. Common terns adapt readily to artificial floating rafts, and may even nest on flat factory roofs. Unusual nest sites include hay bales, a stump 0.6 m (2 ft) above the water, and floating logs or vegetation.
Flat grassland or heath may be suitable in an island environment. This was also the case when I was taking this photo on the Pripyat river island (Ukraine). As you can see the tern lands on its nest located on a colored grassland.
Up to three eggs may be laid, their dull colours and blotchy patterns providing camouflage on the open beach.
Like most terns, this species feeds by plunge-diving for fish, either in the sea or in freshwater, but molluscs, crustaceans and other invertebrate prey may form a significant part of the diet in some areas.
Eggs and young are vulnerable to predation by mammals such as rats and American mink, and large birds including gulls, owls and herons.
Hidden nest
Common tern (Sterna hirundo)
From the cycle - Birds of Europe. You can see more my photos from this cycle by entering "Pawel's Birds of Europe" in the search box.
The common tern is a seabird in the family Laridae.
Breeding in a wider range of habitats than any of its relatives, the common tern nests on any flat, poorly vegetated surface close to water, including beaches and islands. The nest may be a bare scrape in sand or gravel, but it is often lined or edged with whatever debris is available. Common terns adapt readily to artificial floating rafts, and may even nest on flat factory roofs. Unusual nest sites include hay bales, a stump 0.6 m (2 ft) above the water, and floating logs or vegetation.
Flat grassland or heath may be suitable in an island environment. This was also the case when I was taking this photo on the Pripyat river island (Ukraine). As you can see the tern lands on its nest located on a colored grassland.
Up to three eggs may be laid, their dull colours and blotchy patterns providing camouflage on the open beach.
Like most terns, this species feeds by plunge-diving for fish, either in the sea or in freshwater, but molluscs, crustaceans and other invertebrate prey may form a significant part of the diet in some areas.
Eggs and young are vulnerable to predation by mammals such as rats and American mink, and large birds including gulls, owls and herons.