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Terns

A common tern flying with a blurred background of vegetation

Terns

  • terns’ wings are longer and more pointed while gulls have broad wings
  • terns have slim, pointed bills while gulls have hooked bills
  • terns are smaller than gulls
  • terns tend to dive into the water to grab fish while gulls float on water to pick up prey.

Unlike most gulls, terns are migratory. They spend the winter in Africa and return to our shores in the spring to breed.

Common tern resting on a wooden post

Common tern

Experts at catching fish, common terns can often be seen hovering above the sea, head down, intently searching for prey on or just below the surface of the water.

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Little tern on the beach

Little tern

The little tern is the smallest tern to breed in the UK and has a bright yellow bill with a black tip and a distinctive white forehead.

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Roseate tern on a rock

Roseate tern

Roseate terns are one of this countries rarest breeding birds. They are named for the very faint rosy flush to their summer plumage – but beware, the colour isn’t usually as obvious and you can often be hard-pressed to spot it at all. ⠀

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Sandwich tern on the beach

Sandwich tern

Named after Sandwich Bay in Kent, these terns are regularly seen around the Solent where breeding numbers have remained steady over the last few years thanks to habitat management and community engagement. 

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