Wildlife

Wild Arctic Tern Migration Welfare

Arctic terns undertake the world's longest migration from Arctic breeding grounds to Antarctic feeding areas, experiencing more daylight than any other animal.

Key Facts

Arctic terns migrate approximately 70,000-90,000 km annually between Arctic and Antarctic
UK breeding populations are concentrated in Scotland, Orkney and Shetland
They feed exclusively on fish caught by plunge diving, making prey availability critical
Climate change is affecting fish availability in both breeding and non-breeding areas
Colony welfare is threatened by introduced mammalian predators on UK island breeding sites

Welfare Considerations

Arctic tern welfare spans the entire globe, requiring conservation action across breeding sites, migration routes and wintering areas. Protecting UK breeding colonies from predators is the most tractable near-term intervention.

What You Can Do

Support mink eradication and predator management at Scottish island tern colonies
Report Arctic tern breeding activity through RSPB seabird monitoring
Contribute to marine conservation that maintains fish availability for seabird foraging