White-winged Tern

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Habitat and behaviour

Habitat: Marshes (rare passage).
Diet: Insects.
Best time to spot: White underwing flash.

When to look

Scarce or local in the UK. Timing varies by region, so check recent sightings before you travel. Numbers peak in May. See the May birding guide for what else is about. More on the season in British seabirds.

Taller bars mean more birds about. Grey means it is usually absent.

How rare is it?

The White-winged Tern sits in our Rare tier for the UK: scarce or very local, so most birders need a planned trip. It is not on the Red or Amber lists in Birds of Conservation Concern 5.

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• Black TernRare · Reservoirs (passage)
• Whiskered TernEpic · Inland freshwater marshes
• Citrine WagtailRare · Marshes (rare passage)
• Grey-headed WagtailRare · Marshes (rare passage)
• Red-throated PipitRare · Marshes (rare passage)
• Marsh SandpiperEpic · Pools

Kit that helps

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