The arctic tern has arrived in Iceland. No other animals have a longer migratory pattern than this beautiful and amazing birds that spend the summers in the arctic raising their young and the winter in Antarctica, where it is summer during the arctic winter.
The arctic tern's white body, black tipped wings and black cap, red bill and feet, along with its “pointy” look and distinctive flying style and loud calls make the Arctic Tern immediately recognizable.
Nesting by the tern was more successful in many places around Iceland last year than any time in the recent years.
More terns Arctic Terns nested by the downtown lake in Reykjavík than any time in the past 30 years and nesting in Seltjarnarnes, the western tip of the capital’s peninsula, and the island Grótta, just off the tip, was the most successful in 10 years.
Tern populations in Southern and Southwest Iceland were also similarly successful as indeed all sea bird populations in the area ranging from Breiðafjörður bay to the Westfjords.
Read more: As the last tern leave for the coast of Antarctica, nesting was unusually success this year
Although 2015 produced a large cohort of young birds the nesting has gone very poorly for seabirds in the past decade so populations must experience several very successful years to reach former sizes.
Fierce creatures
Note that the Arctic Tern is a protected species, and you should under no circumstances enter or disturb their colonies. And as any traveller who has come close to a tern colony can attest to these beautiful birds are also very fierce creatures. Attempting to drive unwanted visitors away, a tern will dive shrieking towards intruders, sometimes also dropping bombs, so to speak, to ensure the message gets through (see an example in the video below).
In case you need to pass close to their colonies and wish to keep diving birds at bay, a good trick is to raise a long stick above your head: The birds will dive towards the top of the stick, keeping them at a somewhat safer distance.
The arctic tern has arrived in Iceland. No other animals have a longer migratory pattern than this beautiful and amazing birds that spend the summers in the arctic raising their young and the winter in Antarctica, where it is summer during the arctic winter.
The arctic tern's white body, black tipped wings and black cap, red bill and feet, along with its “pointy” look and distinctive flying style and loud calls make the Arctic Tern immediately recognizable.
Nesting by the tern was more successful in many places around Iceland last year than any time in the recent years.
More terns Arctic Terns nested by the downtown lake in Reykjavík than any time in the past 30 years and nesting in Seltjarnarnes, the western tip of the capital’s peninsula, and the island Grótta, just off the tip, was the most successful in 10 years.
Tern populations in Southern and Southwest Iceland were also similarly successful as indeed all sea bird populations in the area ranging from Breiðafjörður bay to the Westfjords.
Read more: As the last tern leave for the coast of Antarctica, nesting was unusually success this year
Although 2015 produced a large cohort of young birds the nesting has gone very poorly for seabirds in the past decade so populations must experience several very successful years to reach former sizes.
Fierce creatures
Note that the Arctic Tern is a protected species, and you should under no circumstances enter or disturb their colonies. And as any traveller who has come close to a tern colony can attest to these beautiful birds are also very fierce creatures. Attempting to drive unwanted visitors away, a tern will dive shrieking towards intruders, sometimes also dropping bombs, so to speak, to ensure the message gets through (see an example in the video below).
In case you need to pass close to their colonies and wish to keep diving birds at bay, a good trick is to raise a long stick above your head: The birds will dive towards the top of the stick, keeping them at a somewhat safer distance.
