Wildlife

Wild UK Arctic Tern Welfare

Conservation and welfare of Arctic terns in UK seabird colonies, facing climate-driven food supply challenges.

Key Facts

Arctic terns undertake the longest migration of any animal, from Arctic to Antarctic and back
UK breeding colonies are concentrated in Shetland, Orkney, and other northern islands
Colony breeding success varies dramatically with sand eel availability and weather conditions
Adult terns are extremely aggressive at colony sites, diving at intruders including humans
HPAI avian influenza has affected tern colonies in some years causing significant mortality

Welfare Considerations

Arctic tern welfare across their extraordinary migration route is affected by multiple human-caused threats including climate change reducing prey availability at breeding grounds. The energy demands of migration mean that food shortage during breeding compounds through the entire annual cycle.

What You Can Do

Support seabird conservation organizations working in UK Arctic tern colonies
Keep dogs on leads and maintain distance from tern nesting areas in season
Advocate for sand eel protection measures that benefit tern food supply