Sandwich Tern (Sterna sandvicensis)
Species
Sandwich Tern (Sterna sandvicensis). Taken on Inner Farne, Northumberland on June 4th 2008.
Taken on Inner Farne, Northumberland on June 4th 2008.
(1/400th sec at f10. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Sandwich Tern (Sterna sandvicensis). Taken on Inner Farne, Northumberland on June 4th 2008.
Taken on Inner Farne, Northumberland on June 4th 2008.
(1/250th sec at f10. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)

Description

L: 37 - 43 cm; WS: 85 - 97 cm

The Sandwich Tern is a very white tern, with a black cap on its head, a long black bill with a yellow tip and short black legs. In flight it shows grey wedges on its wings tips and it has a short forked tail.

It is a summer visitor to northern Europe. It winters in southern Europe or Africa.

Its breeding habitat is on sandy beaches or low islands in salt or brackish water.

Its conservation status is amber, owing to the low number of breeding birds (around 12500 pairs), and habitat loss.

Sightings

23-May-2019 : Ythan Estuary, Aberdeenshire (50+)

07-Oct-2018 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)
24-Jun-2018 : Ravenglass, Cumbria (2)
09-Jun-2018 : Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk (5)
13-Mar-2018 : Fuerteventura, Canary Islands (2)

05-Nov-2016 : Playa de Los Lances, Spain (20+)
01-Jun-2016 : Lymington-Keyhaven NR, Hants (2)

24-Jun-2013 : Salthouse, Norfolk (c10)

19-Apr-2011 : Bryher, Isles of Scilly (1)

12-Sep-2010 : Playa de Los Lances, Spain

04-Mar-2009 : Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
03-Mar-2009 : Fuerteventura, Canary Islands

04-Jun-2008 : Farne Islands, Northumberland
27-Apr-2008 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
06-Mar-2008 : Madeira

22-May-2005 : Quinta da Rocha, Portugal
19-May-2005 : Castro Marim, Portugal

13-Jul-1999 : Isles of Scilly