Little Tern

Sternula albifrons

Scarce & rare Summer visitors from April-September with 2,000 breeding pairs in Britain in loose colonies along sandy, shallow coasts & islands , plus 200 in Ireland.

Also breeds in mainland Europe.

Winters in South Africa.

Breeding Adults have a thin sharp bill is yellow with a black tip and its legs are also yellow.

In Winter, the forehead is more extensively white, the bill is black and the legs duller.

Juveniles have scaly patterns on the back.

The call is a loud and distinctive creaking noise.