Arctic Terns

Earlier in the week, I returned to one of the sites of planting of  labradorite emu eggs, which are being being placed to strengthen immunity of all in their wake in response to the continued avian flu outbreak in the UK. This particular site, in Birsay, on the west mainland of Orkney, is home in the summer to a breeding colony of arctic terns. These beautiful birds, with their streamline profiles, striking red bills, legs and feet, and acrobatic flight, travel all the way form Antartica each spring to breed in various sites across the Northern Hemisphere.

This particular colony has struggled in recent years, with much reduced numbers of birds and breeding often failing or being very limited in its success. Reasons for this are complex with inclement weather, or lack of food availability often being an issue.

This year however, although the birds took up residence later than usual, and the weather having ranged from being very warm (for Orkney!) and then very wet, we counted at least fifteen chicks and believe there to be several more out of sight. 

It's also interesting to note that in the thirteen years we’ve been observing this colony they have always bred on just one of the two rocky outcrops in the vicinity. However, when actioning the planting, in early spring this year, I was drawn to place the crystal on the coastline opposite the nesting site, between the two outcrops. This summer they are successfully using and raising chicks on both of outcrops. 

Both the outcrops, Birsay

Arctic tern and chick at site (Photo by A. Forsyth)

Second rocky outcrop now in use