Arctic terns on the Farne Islands

Each year in summer, thousands of Arctic terns come to the Farne Islands – and Inner Farne in particular – to nest and breed. Discover more about Arctic terns, including where they like to nest and how best to look after your head around these protective birds.

Nesting and laying eggs

Arctic terns migrate to the northern hemisphere for the summer months and it’s here that they breed. When it comes to building a nest they favour bare sand and patches of path beside vegetation where the chicks can shelter and hide.

By the beginning of June most of the terns are sitting on their eggs. After a few weeks the newest generation has hatched and the adult terns will raise them until they’re ready to fly the nest.

Arctic terns will staunchly defend their eggs and chicks from perceived attack. This usually involves the bird clicking, flying up, making lots of noise and occasionally pecking the heads of passers-by.

Arctic tern migration

This species famously undertakes the longest migration of any bird. Always chasing summer, the Arctic tern experiences more daylight hours than any other animal on the planet.

Once the chicks are ready to fly, the birds begin to make their way south again. By the end of the year, the terns will be somewhere in the southern hemisphere, most likely off the coast of Australia or the Antarctic pack ice.

Arctic tern parent brooding two young chicks in the ground nest, on the Farne Islands, Northumberland — Arctic Tern with chicks, Farne Islands | © National Trust Images/GillianDay LRPS

How to protect the eggs – and yourself

This seabird is without doubt the species with the greatest presence on the Farne Islands. During the breeding season the Islands become the Arctic terns’ home and life very much revolves around them.

Because they nest on the ground, we ask that you walk steadily through the colony, paying close attention to where you step – there can be eggs and chicks on the paths from May to July on Inner Farne.

And because the terns are so protective of their young, we advise that you always wear a hat (though not a hard hat or cycle helmet) to protect your head from a swooping parent if you get too close to a chick.

Arctic tern landing on a man's head, Farne Islands, Northumberland — Arctic tern landing on a man's head, Farne Islands | © National Trust Images/Richard Scott

Arctic tern conservation

By visiting the Farne Islands you are directly supporting the conservation work we do throughout the year. With your help, we can continue to ensure safe nesting sites and carry out work such as ringing the birds to better understand their migratory patterns.