Common Terns breed in the north temperate zone around the world. In North America, they occur from east of the foothills to the Atlantic. In Alberta, look for them on the larger lakes in the southern and central part of province: in the north, they occur locally in isolated sites.
Like all terns, they are always near water. The spring migrants appear during the last week of April and the first one in May. During migration, they may be found on rivers, lakes, sloughs and reservoirs. In the immediate Calgary area, they have been seen on the Glenmore Reservoir, Bow River and on sloughs and lakes in the Irricana and Strathmore area. Further afield they have occurred at Frank Lake, Lower Kananaskis Lake, Chain Lake and Taber. They have nested at Eagle Lake, Namaka Lake, Pakowki Lake and Lake Newell. Generally all leave the province by mid-September.
Their diet consists of small fish and aquatic invertebrates, found by patrolling the waterways, hovering, then plunge-diving to make the
capture.
Common Terns nest colonially, sometimes in single pairs, often with other species, usually on sandy or gravelly beaches or on flat areas on islands. The nest is usually just a shallow depression that may or may not be lined or decorated with beach flotsam. Usually three eggs are laid. The eggs are incubated by both sexes, but mainly by the female. They hatch after 20-23 days. The young often leave the nest after three days, but return to be brooded. They fly when about 28 days old.
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Where to find Common Terns in Alberta
Outside of May and September when their occurence is uncommon, Common Terns are either rare (summer) or absent (winter). Watch for these bird hovering over the waters of the Glenmore Reservoir. Brent Johner
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SHAUNEEN O'BRIEN
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