First flight
I watched an Arctic Tern colony struggle to raise chicks over the last summer. There was plenty of food, although maybe not the right type, but there were also too many predators.
Chicks are vulnerable to gulls and Ravens and skuas on the pebbly beach and have to respond to adult alarm calls by either staying still, running down the beach for the sea, or running up the beach to cover. It’s always a relief to see a chick finally develop its primary wing feathers and attempt its first hesitant flight.
This may have been the only Arctic Tern chick which survived.
More Arctic Terns
Arctic Tern feeding A memory of last summer with the Arctic Terns of Westray. There were so few chicks in this colony that… read more
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Fish from a stranger What happens when your colony collapses, your numbers are too low and you can't protect your chicks from predators? What… read more
Feeding time One of the most interesting aspects of bird behaviour is watching parents feeding their young. In this case, I can't… read more
Arctic Tern on the handrail We had only just arrived on Papa Westray when we saw an Arctic Tern on the handrail. They're such handsome… read more