White-winged Black Tern - Chlidonias leucopterus
One of the three species of "marsh terns", it is similar to Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) but shows more contrast with darker back, brilliant white rump, white leading edges of wings and black underwing coverts. Adult in summer plumage easily recognised by the jet black body and underwing coverts. In winter plumage lacks black neck patch of Black Tern.
Breeds in freshwater marshes, wetlands and swamps.
Mostly May to September.
Breeds on south-eastern Europe. Seen on passage along coasts.
Annual vagrant
Rare vagrant from south-eastern Europe. Less than twenty records from our area.
Chris Lythall
Rutland Water
30 August 2005
Rod Baker
Rutland Water
19 July 2015
Rod Baker
Rutland Water
26 May 2017
Leicestershire & Rutland Map
Enter a town or village to see local records
MAP KEY:
Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020
UK Map
Species profile
- Common names
- White-winged Tern, White-winged Black Tern
- Species group:
- bird
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
- Order:
- Charadriiformes
- Family:
- Laridae
- Records on NatureSpot:
- 4
- First record:
- 30/08/2005 (Chris Lythall)
- Last record:
- 26/05/2017 (Baker, Rodney)
Total records by month
% of records within its species group
10km squares with records
The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.
In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.
Latest images
Latest records
Rod Baker
Rutland Water
26 May 2017
Rod Baker
Rutland Water
26 May 2017
