The Lincolnshire Bird Club

I have just received details of a Lincolnshire Little Tern chick ringed by me in 1993 and found in North Norfolk in 2014, which has set a new British longevity record by 2 years at nearly 21 years. Details are:-

Ringed - as chick - 04.07.1993 Tetney RSPB Reserve.
found freshly dead 08.06.2014 Blakeney Point, Norfolk.

7644 days, movement 88km at 135 degrees

Although it could have easily walked to Norfolk from Tetney to Blakeney in that time, it is likely to have flown a considerable distance, having flown south to West or South Africa some twenty times. Remarkable for a bird that only weighs up to 60 grams (approx. twice the weight of a House Sparrow).

Alan

This is truly remarkable, Alan, you must take great satisfaction from the fact that, not only did your ringed Little Tern enjoy obviously, a very successful life, but also that it helped to add significantly to the understanding of the potential longevity of this wonderful species.

Regards,

Ben.

Hi Alan,
I've just had a look at the BTO Website and this is only the 10th ever recovery (a strange ringing term for when a ringed bird is found - usually dead!!) of a Lincolnshire ringed Little Tern and only the 13th recovered in Norfolk!
Stuart

Yes - it's surprising just how long-lived small seabirds can be. I've only had one other Little Tern recovery - also ringed at Tetney RSPB reserve (in 1989) which was caught alive in Belgium some 12 years later. It's a shame that Little Terns are rather stupid when nesting (as they seem to prefer trying to nest in areas of coast line that high tides subsequently wash their nests out), so it's just as well they're long-lived with such poor breeding productivity. Beautiful birds and one of my favourites !

Alan