A few pairs usually nest in Norfolk. Description Very similar to Common Tern, but with shorter blood-red bill without the black tip of Common Tern. Tail longer and legs shorter than Common Tern. Only a handful of Arctic terns nest in Norfolk. To most observers they are a spring and autumn passage migrant.
Breeding grounds are in general to the north of common terns.
In the far north Arctic terns nest on bare rocky islands and stacks. It is the most northerly breeding tern in the world. Each autumn flights of Arctic terns from northern Europe and Siberia journey south, soon entering the North Sea and passing the East Anglian coastline. These birds enjoy more daylight in the course of a year than any other creature. During our winter they spend another summer just north of the Antarctic pack-ice.