Sterna caspia (Pallas 1770), Caspian Tern (Lariidae)

Compiled by Christof Herrmann, Henrik Skov & Wlodzimierz Meissner

1. Description of the Habitat/Autecology of the species

Breeding: Archipelago areas.

2. Distribution, past and present

The Caspian Tern has a circumpolar distribution, but does not breed in South America. In Europe (including the middle East) it breeds along the Baltic, Black Sea and Caspian Sea coasts. The total European/Middle East population is estimated at 4,700-9,300 breeding pairs. In the Baltic, the main breeding area is the Archipelago Sea. The Baltic Sea hosts some 25 colonies and a number of locations containing solitary pairs of caspian terns, altogether about 1,500 – 1,800 breeding pairs. It breeds in Sweden, Finland and Estonia, occasionally also with 1-2 pairs in Germany.

Baltic Population:

(Data from: BirdLife International, 2004)

3. Importance (Sub-regional, Baltic-wide, Global)

The Baltic Sea hosts about 20-30 % of the European population.

4. Status of threat/decline

The European population of the Caspian Tern underwent a strong decline from 1970-1990. From 1990-2000 it was increasing, fluctuating or stable across most of its European range, including the Baltic (BirdLife International, 2004).

5. Threat/decline factors

Conditions in the wintering areas, predators in the breeding areas.

6. Options for improvements

Predator control in breeding areas.

7. References

BirdLife International (2004): Birds in Europe. Population estimates, trends and conservation status. BirdLife Conservation series 12, Cambridge, UK. 374 pp.