Sandwich Tern, Sterna sandvicensis
'Swiftly flying past'. A Sandwich Tern, Sterna sandvicensis, showing its distinctive yellow tipped black bill...on a mission, Northumberland.
Many thanks for visiting my Flickr pages ...Your visits, interest, comments and kindness to 'fave' my photos is very much appreciated, Steve.
Sandwich Tern Notes...
Found around our coasts during the breeding season, the large Sandwich Tern can be spotted diving into the sea for fish such as sandeels. It nests in colonies on sand and shingle beaches, and islands.
Species information
Category: Seabirds
Statistics
Length: 36-41cm
Wingspan: 1m
Weight: 250g
Average lifespan: 12 years
Conservation status
Classified in the UK as Amber under the Birds of Conservation Concern 4: the Red List for Birds (2015).
When to see: March to September
About
The Sandwich Tern is a relatively large tern, which breeds in colonies on sand and shingle beaches, islands and spits. Sandwich terns feed on fish, such as sand eels, sprats and whiting, which they catch by diving into the water.
How to identify
The Sandwich Tern is whitish-grey above and white below, with a large black cap (the forehead becomes white in winter) and a shaggy, black crest. It has short, black legs, and a black bill with a yellow tip. It has a short tail without 'streamers' (long feathers extending past the main tail).
Distribution
A summer visitor to sandy beaches and islands around our coastline, particularly in the south and east of England.
Habitats: Coastal
Did you know?
Named after Sandwich Bay in Kent, the Sandwich Tern is one of three birds to be named after Kent - the others are the Kentish Plover and the Dartford Warbler. WT Notes.
Sandwich Tern, Sterna sandvicensis
'Swiftly flying past'. A Sandwich Tern, Sterna sandvicensis, showing its distinctive yellow tipped black bill...on a mission, Northumberland.
Many thanks for visiting my Flickr pages ...Your visits, interest, comments and kindness to 'fave' my photos is very much appreciated, Steve.
Sandwich Tern Notes...
Found around our coasts during the breeding season, the large Sandwich Tern can be spotted diving into the sea for fish such as sandeels. It nests in colonies on sand and shingle beaches, and islands.
Species information
Category: Seabirds
Statistics
Length: 36-41cm
Wingspan: 1m
Weight: 250g
Average lifespan: 12 years
Conservation status
Classified in the UK as Amber under the Birds of Conservation Concern 4: the Red List for Birds (2015).
When to see: March to September
About
The Sandwich Tern is a relatively large tern, which breeds in colonies on sand and shingle beaches, islands and spits. Sandwich terns feed on fish, such as sand eels, sprats and whiting, which they catch by diving into the water.
How to identify
The Sandwich Tern is whitish-grey above and white below, with a large black cap (the forehead becomes white in winter) and a shaggy, black crest. It has short, black legs, and a black bill with a yellow tip. It has a short tail without 'streamers' (long feathers extending past the main tail).
Distribution
A summer visitor to sandy beaches and islands around our coastline, particularly in the south and east of England.
Habitats: Coastal
Did you know?
Named after Sandwich Bay in Kent, the Sandwich Tern is one of three birds to be named after Kent - the others are the Kentish Plover and the Dartford Warbler. WT Notes.