Belongs to: terns

Black tern Chlidonias niger

In summer all dark bird, frequently seen over inland reservoirs in spring

Habitat: freshwater marshes, estuaries and sea

Passage migrant to UK; breeds in E. Europe

All black upperparts, grey wings, black bill and legs

Often seen in flight picking insects off surface of water

Eats insects

Nest is a mound of vegetation in marshy lagoon

1 brood in May; 3 buffy eggs spotted brown