Arctic Tern
Latin: Sterna paradisaea (Pontoppidan 1763)
Svenska: Silvertärna
Deutsch: Küstenseeschwalbe
Winters among penguins
In January, arctic terns begin to leave their winter quarters in the Antarctic. They fly from South Africa up towards Morocco, towards Denmark and Sweden. After nearly three months of travel, they reach their destination: small islands off of Uppland’s coast!
These birds live in colonies, where they catch little fish by diving into the water.
Southward migration begins in July or August to the Antarctic Ocean, Australia, and occasionally even New Zealand. The arctic terns will return to Uppland near the end of April.
Photo: Jerzy Strzelecki ©
Latest sightings of arctic terns in Uppland
NatureGate on the arctic tern