Main content

The Arctic tern
The ‘swallow of our seas’, the Arctic tern is arguably one of the most impressive and beautiful of our seabirds.
Every year this tiny bird flies all the way from the Antarctic Ocean to northern isles like Orkney just to breed. In its lifetime, an Arctic tern may have travelled as far as the moon and back three times. That’s amazing.
Duration:
This clip is from
Featured in...
![]()
BBC Nature
Be captivated, informed and inspired by the world's wildlife.
More clips from Guide to Sea Birds
![]()
Sea gull ID
Duration: 02:53
![]()
The fulmar
Duration: 01:25
![]()
Seabird cities
Duration: 04:57
More clips from Springwatch
![]()
The Hebrides are absolutely stunning
Duration: 01:36
![]()
A nature-induced "spiral of fascination"
Duration: 04:37
![]()
The sights and sounds of a woodland in spring
Duration: 01:31
![]()
How do we film nests on Springwatch?
Duration: 03:29








