Wildlife

Arctic Tern Welfare on the World's Longest Migration

Arctic terns make the longest migration of any animal, flying from Arctic breeding grounds to the Antarctic and back annually, experiencing welfare challenges from changing prey availability and weather events.

Key Facts

Arctic terns migrate approximately 90,000 km annually between Arctic and Antarctic
They experience two Arctic summers per year, maximising daylight and food availability
Climate-driven shifts in prey availability along migration routes increase energetic costs
UK breeding colonies have shown population declines linked to poor breeding seasons

Welfare Considerations

Arctic tern welfare during migration depends on reliable prey availability at staging areas throughout the journey. Climate-driven shifts in prey distribution can leave birds without adequate refuelling opportunities at traditional stop-over sites. Poor breeding years in the UK are linked to sandeel availability, making seabird prey conservation a direct welfare issue.

What You Can Do

Support the RSPB Arctic tern colony management at protected sites including the Farne Islands
Contribute to seabird monitoring through organised colony counts and BTO surveys
Support campaigns for sustainable fisheries management protecting prey species for seabirds
Advocate for climate action that protects ocean productivity supporting long-distance migrants