Sandwich Tern

A large pale tern with a shaggy black crest. It has a long black bill with a diagnostic yellow tip. It is a summer visitor to European coasts. It nests in dense, noisy colonies on shingle banks. It is rarely found far from the coast except during migration.

Sandwich Terns are powerful fliers. They hunt by plunge-diving into the sea for small fish, especially sand eels. They are highly social and have loud, harsh calls that are easy to hear over the sound of the waves. They often nest alongside Black-headed Gulls for added protection against predators.