little terns
26 SCOTTISH ISLANDS EXPLORERNOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2016
Michael Steciukshares his images from a photographic assignment
Little terns are one of the UK’s rarer
seabirds and are listed on the ‘amber
conservation’ category as well as being
legally protected by the 1981 Wildlife and
Countryside Act. Owing to these restric-
tions, a Schedule 1 licence was required in
order to photograph the birds in the nest.
They are summer visitors to the Scottish
islands, arriving in early May from their
wintering sites off the west coast of Africa
and leaving to return in late August / early
September. They form the smallest species
of tern breeding in the UK and nest
exclusively on shingle beaches of the Outer
and Inner Hebrides and Orkney.Their ground nests lead to vulnerability from
predators and disturbances, although the
close colonies on open beaches do offer
good visibility and collective warning opportu-
nities. However, foxes and badgers are a
threat at low level and attacks from kestrels,
crows, gulls and peregrine falcons feature
from above.
The Little tern tends to nest close to the
high-tide line and is susceptible to onshore
winds and Spring tides. I positioned myself
unobtrusively in a small hide where I could
enjoy their pleasant chattering calls that
represent the heartbeat of many islands in
evocative, atmospheric locations.