Little Tern, Sternula albifrons

Local status: Rare spring passage migrant

Little Terns breed on the east coast of Yorkshire in the vicinity of Spurn, on Teesside, Northumberland and Scotland and it is likely that the small number of records of this species in the York area represent migrants returning to their breeding colonies. The main passage period is April and May. Whilst typically a coastal species, it does sometimes move overland and this accounts for the sightings in the York area.

Records:
1998: North Duffield Carrs, 12th May.
1996: Wheldrake Ings, 1st May.
1996: Wheldrake Ings, 13th April.
1987: Castle Howard, 16th May.
1985: Bubwith, 16th May.
1984: Wheldrake Ings, 27th April.
1983: Wheldrake Ings, 26th April.
1981: Wheldrake Ings, 26th June.
1980: Fulford Ings, 14th June.
1980: Wheldrake Ings, 2nd May.
1979: Wheldrake Ings, 23rd June. Two.