©Bertie Gregory/2020VISION
©Bertie Gregory/2020VISION
Sandwich tern
Scientific name: Sterna sandvicensis
Found around our coasts during the breeding season, the large Sandwich tern can be spotted diving into the sea for fish such as sandeels. It nests in colonies on sand and shingle beaches, and islands.
Species information
Statistics
Length: 36-41cmWingspan: 95-105cm
Weight: 210-260g
Average lifespan: 12 years
Conservation status
Classified in the UK as Amber under the Birds of Conservation Concern 5: the Red List for Birds (2021).
When to see
March to SeptemberAbout
The Sandwich tern is a relatively large tern, which breeds in colonies on sand and shingle beaches, islands and spits. Sandwich terns feed on fish, such as sandeels, sprats and whiting, which they catch by diving into the water.How to identify
The Sandwich tern is whitish-grey above and white below, with a large black cap (the forehead becomes white in winter) and a shaggy, black crest. It has short, black legs, and a black bill with a yellow tip. It has a short tail without 'streamers' (long feathers extending past the main tail).In our area
Cemlyn Nature Reserve hosts the only colony of Sandwich terns in Wales. However, without 24/7 protection during the breeding season, there is every chance that the colony will fail. We need £20,000 every year to provide this protection.