How migrating birds tern up on Irish shores

Study reveals flight distances travelled for summer breeding

THE astonishing distances covered by migratory birds making their way to Ireland each summer have been revealed. 

Research shows the Arctic tern is the most-travelled visitor to these shores.

In spite of its name, it heads over 19,000km to and from the South Pole every year.

It hits speeds of up to 112km per hour during its journeys – and even higher if it has a tailwind.

Arctic terns mate for life and breed in Ireland during the summer months, before heading south once more in October.

Its love of long, sunny evenings sees the average bird flying the equivalent of three trips to the moon and back during its lifespan.

The study by geographic information systems firm ESRI Ireland also found the swift takes a more casual 18,000km route here annually from the Congo Basin in Africa, with several stopoffs along the way.

The swift’s visits here are as its name suggests – it lands in May and is gone again by August.