The Arctic Tern migration is quite spectacular, considering that they often fly more than 12,000 miles each way. That's well over 20,000 miles per year.

In the Spring, the Arctic Terns migrate north to their breeding grounds (shown in red on the migration map).
In early Fall, they fly back south to the Antarctic region where they spend the Winter (blue).

Arctic Terns have compassion too: the female Tern in the water, which had just been attacked by a Mew Gull, was about to drown ...

The whole series of pictures taken during the event reveals an extraordinary display of love and heroism from this pair of Arctic Terns. The injured Tern’s mate rushed to her rescue by repeatedly trying to pull her out of the water using his beak.
Click to see the Arctic Tern Rescue. >

This young Arctic Tern is testing its new wings and discovers the joy of flying. But it's early July and the fall migration is fast approaching. Before the summer is over, the chick needs to gain enough strength to undertake the 12,000 mile journey south to the wintering grounds of Antarctica.

No Trespassing Allowed: Arctic Terns are very territorial birds and will not tolerate any strangers. In this scene, a chick from another couple wandered too close to the neighbour's property. The helpless chick learned a painful lesson.

Click to see this Arctic Tern Attack. >

This Arctic Tern has 2 hungry chicks to feed this summer. With a small fish in its beak, the Tern feeds the chicks all while hovering above them.

A Tern chick bathing in the sun. A Tern skimming the surface of the water. A Sandpiper whispering to his new friend. An Arctic Tern ballet dancer, and a chick jumping in the air. That's life as usual in the marshes of Alaska during the summer ...

A peaceful moment with an Arctic Tern and chick in this tender scene...

This duck is trespassing on the Arctic Tern's property.

Arctic Tern is not afraid of Mewgulls either.

During courtship, one of the partners brings a fish and initiates a love dance.

Alaska is a heaven for migratory birds. Hundreds of Arctic Terns come every year and breed at Potter's Marsh, Anchorage, in late Spring. Arctic Terns, like Trumpeter Swans and Red Necked Grebes, mate for life.