Best time to see: mid Apr to end Oct

Key facts

Small dainty tern-like gull that feeds by picking up insects from surface of water

Habitat: freshwater marshes, sea, estuaries and shores

Passage migrant and scarce winter visitor; main numbers breed eastern Baltic

Recognition

Pale grey and white upperparts; black head; small dark red bill; dark red legs; dark underwings; 27 cm

Feeds from surface of water, at a distance looking like a marsh tern

Eats insects, fish and invertebrates