Arctic Tern - Sterna paradisaea

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 very similar to Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) - also sometimes known as 'Sea Swallow' but it is slightly smaller in size, has a shorter bill and longer tail. The adult's bill is usually a uniform dark red with no black tip whereas the adult Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) usually has a black tip to its bill.

Simialr to Common Tern but the adult Arctic's all red bill distinguishes it from the black-tipped bill of the Common Tern

It is largely coastal although it can be seen inland on reservoirs and large water bodies during migration.

European birds start to arrive back from their Antarctic winter break in May, with northernmost birds getting back in June. Many birds occur inland during their migration north, passing through central England in late April/early May. Migration south commences after breeding in late July and August.

Mainly a fish eater.

Widespread but mainly coastal in Britain.

Seen in Leicestershire & Rutland during its migration.