The roseate tern is a beautiful seabird that breeds along the northeast coast of England during the summer months. Northumberland provides some excellent locations to spot these elegant terns in their breeding plumage. Here are the key details on where and when to see roseate terns in Northumberland.
What are roseate terns?
The roseate tern (Sterna dougallii) is a medium-sized tern belonging to the seabird family Sternidae. Adults have pale gray upperparts and white underparts in breeding plumage. Their most distinctive feature is the long, deeply forked tail streamers and the pink flush on their breast, which gives rise to their name. Roseate terns breed in colonies on coastlines and islands across temperate and tropical regions in the northern hemisphere. They winter along the coasts of southeast Asia, Australia, and South America after undertaking long migrations.
Identification
Identifying roseate terns can be tricky since they appear very similar to the common tern and Arctic tern. Here are some tips for identification in breeding plumage:
- Pink flush on the breast
- Very long tail streamers
- Pale gray upperparts
- Orange-red legs and feet
- Black cap on the head
- Black beak with a red base
Roseate terns in non-breeding plumage lose the pink blush on the breast and the tail streamers are not as long. But the black cap on the head, dark beak with a red base, and pale upperparts help distinguish them from similar terns.
Breeding and diet
Roseate terns arrive back in Northumberland in April and May to breed after spending the winter in South America and Africa. They nest on beaches, sand spits, and islands in small colonies, laying 1-3 eggs in a simple scrape in the ground. Chicks hatch after an incubation period of around 20-25 days. The young fledge at 4-5 weeks old but remain dependent on their parents for a further 1-2 months.
Roseate terns principally feed on small fish such as sandeels, sprats, and herring. They also consume marine invertebrates like shrimp and tiny crabs. They catch their prey by plunge diving, hovering briefly then diving into the ocean.
Where can I see roseate terns in Northumberland?
Here are some of the best locations in Northumberland to spot roseate terns during the breeding season between April and August:
Coquet Island
Coquet Island lies just over 1 mile offshore from the town of Amble on the Northumberland coast. This small rocky island is an important protected seabird colony owned and managed by the RSPB. It holds around 100 breeding pairs of roseate terns, along with common terns, Arctic terns, puffins, and other seabirds. The best way to see the roseate terns is to take a boat trip that circumnavigates Coquet Island between May and July.
Farne Islands
The Farne Islands are an archipelago lying just off the coast from the town of Seahouses in Northumberland. They are also owned and protected by the RSPB as important seabird colonies. Around 60-90 pairs of roseate terns nest among the islands each summer, along with vast numbers of other seabirds. Taking a boat trip from Seahouses to land on Inner Farne between May and July provides excellent views of breeding roseate terns and other species.
Staple Island
Staple Island sits just off the coast near the village of Craster in north Northumberland. It is part of the Northumberland Coast AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). Approximately 30-40 pairs of roseate terns breed on Staple Island annually. Landing trips can be taken from Craster harbour in summer to see the roseate terns and huge colonies of puffins that also breed here.
Holy Island
A small number of roseate terns (around 5-10 pairs) also nest annually on Holy Island off the Northumberland coast. The island is connected to the mainland by a causeway, so visitors can access the island to watch the roseate terns. Prime viewing locations include the north end of the island from the path towards the castle.
Ross Back Sands
The long sandy beach known as Ross Back Sands near Bamburgh is one of the few places on the Northumberland mainland where you may spot roseate terns. A handful of pairs nest here annually alongside Arctic and common terns. The birds can be viewed from the beach near the car park access point, but care should be taken not to disturb the nesting terns.
Best times to see roseate terns in Northumberland
Here are the optimal times of year and day to spot roseate terns in Northumberland:
- May to early August – The core breeding season
- Mid-June to late July – Peak time when the most adults and chicks are present at colonies
- Morning and evening – Avoid the middle of the day when terns are most active fishing
- Around high tide – Terns gather to roost on islands and beaches at high tide
Some of the roseate terns start to depart Northumberland from late July onwards as they head off on migration back to wintering grounds. But late July and early August can still be a good time to see them before colony numbers dwindle.
Roseate tern viewing guide by location
Here is a table summarizing the key locations, colonies, access and viewing tips for seeing roseate terns in Northumberland:
| Location | No. of Pairs | Access | Viewing Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coquet Island | Around 100 pairs | Boat trips from Amble | Best views from circumnavigating boats |
| Farne Islands | 60-90 pairs | Boat trips from Seahouses | Landing trips to Inner Farne offer closest views |
| Staple Island | 30-40 pairs | Boat trips from Craster | Landing trips provide closest views |
| Holy Island | 5-10 pairs | Public causeway | View from north end of island near castle |
| Ross Back Sands | Handful of pairs | Public beach access | View from beach but avoid disturbance |
Responsible roseate tern viewing guidelines
When viewing roseate terns and other seabirds in Northumberland, please follow these responsible viewing guidelines:
- Keep a safe distance from nesting terns and chicks
- Never intentionally flush terns off their nests
- Follow wardens’ instructions at bird reserves
- Avoid visiting tern colonies during late evening or overnight
- Keep noise levels to a minimum
- Never feed or disrupt the normal behavior of the birds
Following these simple guidelines helps minimize disturbance and enables the terns to breed successfully while you enjoy watching them in their natural environment.
Conclusion
Northumberland provides birders and nature enthusiasts with fantastic opportunities to see breeding roseate terns from April to August. The islands along the coast like Coquet, Farne and Staple host significant colonies alongside common and Arctic terns. Amble, Seahouses and Craster offer regular boat trips to view the seabird colonies. Or you can also see small numbers nesting on Holy Island and Ross Back Sands if landing access is not possible. Following responsible viewing practices when watching roseate terns ensures minimal impact on these special seabirds.
