lough neagh wetlands（内伊湖湿地）（8页）.docVIP

Lough Neagh Wetlands Common Tern Sterna hirundo Species Action Plan 2008 - 2013 Common Tern in the Lough Neagh Wetlands Introduction The common tern Sterna hirundo is a common and widespread breeding species of both coastal and inland regions. Its range extends from eastern North America to western Siberia. It is a long-distance migrant that breeds in colonies around coasts and beside inland freshwater bodies. Inland sites include islands in lakes, artificial sites, including specially made floating rafts and occasionally gravel-covered flat-roofs. Most feeding takes place within 3 – 10 km of the breeding colony, but birds have been recorded breeding up to 37km from a feeding site. The British population of 12,300 pairs is spread over 200 colonies ranging in size from under ten pairs to over 1,000. There are more than 50 further colonies in Ireland, totaling 3,100 pairs. Adults are very faithful to their breeding colonies. Background Common terns breed on islands where there is little or no vegetation on the ground and where they can lay their eggs on gravel or bare earth.?They nest in colonies and like to be in the company of other birds, particularly black-headed gulls. On Lough Neagh, the most important natural island is Pagan Island which is in the south east corner of the Lough. This site currently holds around 45 breeding pairs.?The largest colony of breeding common terns in the area is found on an old Torpedo Platform near Antrim. This is a man made structure and currently holds around 50 breeding pairs annually. Several other smaller sites on Lough Neagh hold small numbers of birds Common terns spend the winter in west and southern Africa, coming to Lough Neagh in April and leaving in August.? Lough Neagh attracts these birds because the large expanse of water offers feeding opportunities.? Unfortunately, suitable nesting areas on Lough Neagh are rare.?This is because the Lough has very few islands, and most of those that do e