The common tern is a medium-sized tern and the one you are most likely to see away from known breeding colonies. Common terns are noisy in their colonies and, like most terns, will attack intruders threatening their nests. They breed on sandy coasts, in dunes and on islands but also breed inland on gravelly banks of lakes and rivers. They plunge-dive to catch their fish-prey.
Common terns are threatened by habitat loss, pollution and disturbance. Local Wildlife Trusts across the country are looking after coastal habitats for the benefit of birds like terns. Ensuring breeding birds are not disturbed and nature reserves are well-managed are just some of the ways we're helping. You can help too: volunteer for The Wildlife Trusts and you could be involved in everything from monitoring populations or raising awareness about nesting birds.
