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Arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea) in flight (Farne islands)

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Arctic Terns can be found on many off shore Islands including the Farne Islands where I captured this photograph.

With its long tail streamers and general shape the Arctic Tern deserves the local name of 'sea swallow'. Appearing white with a black cap, it is largely coastal although it can be seen inland on migration. It depends on a healthy marine environment and some colonies have been affected by fish shortages. Arctic terns are the ultimate long distance migrants - summer visitors to the UK and winter visitors (well summer then there) to the Antarctic.

 

Submitted 24/10/2014

Accepted 18/11/2014

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Uploaded on October 26, 2014
Taken on July 1, 2014