Black Tern from Zuid-Holland turns out to be a seabird
In 2010 ten Black Terns (Chlidonias niger) have been captured on the nest in one of the many freshwater filled ditches scattered in the Dutch countryside in the western peat district area. They were all released with a geolocator from the British Antarctic Survey to get an insight in their migration habits. This year one female was recaptured and the first rough data analysis shows a pelagic migration route towards West Africa. During the winter the bird seemed to spend much of her time far offshore, roughly in between Mauritania and Liberia. Black terns are probably more marine and behaving like true seabirds outside the breeding period than previously thought.
Many volunteers, who contribute in Black tern protection and monitoring in the province of Zuid-Holland, make this project possible. Several farmers and the Waterschap Rivierenland cooperated in this project and gave permission to study Black Terns on their lands. The initiative was coordinated by Landschapsbeheer Zuid-Holland. This organisation aims an accessible and ecologically sound landscape, with care for its history and the people within it. The information will be used to emphasise the importance of Black Tern protection at a regional, national and international level.
