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Little Tern

Photograph Copyright © Ashley Fisher

Little Tern is a scarce visitor to the Sheffield area, by no means annual and often only one or two reports of single birds in any one year. Since 1990 for example, there have been two periods each of 3 years when none were recorded: 1993-1995 inclusive and 1998-2000 inclusive. With many records being of birds flying straight through it is thus one of the most difficult of the "Common" Terns to catch up with in the Sheffield area. Apart from 2 "possible" records at Redmires in 1955 and 1958, the only upland records were at Barbrook in June 1961 and September 1997, with one at Redmires in June 1987 in between. Autumn records are also rare, so the best chance of finding the species is during May and June at eastern, lowland waters. RVCP, Thrybergh CP and Treeton Dyke have accounted for a good majority of reports.

Most records are of singles or two, but there were three on both 4th June 1985 and 12th June 1996, in both cases NE through Thrybergh CP. In fact, 1985 was the best year on record, although all reports were from Thrybergh CP. In addition to the 3 mentioned above there were: one on 15th May, 2 on 23rd May and 2 on 3rd June. As the species rarely lingers at inland localities, one at Thrybergh CP on 24th April then presumably the same at Treeton Dyke from 25th to 29th 1992 was very unusual, and a good chance for many birders to get the species on their Sheffield list.  These photographs of a spring adult were taken by Ashley Fisher at Treeton Dyke on 24th April 2002.  Last updated 23rd June 2002.

Photograph Copyright © Ashley Fisher

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