Burney's Critter Corner: Terns

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Many birds travel long distances during the year. When the fall and winter snows announce the coming of deep winter in the north where the birds have nested during the spring, the migration to warmer weather begins. The most distance traveled during the year is by the Arctic Tern.

They leave Canada and cross the Atlantic to Europe where they fly south along the coast to Southern Africa and on down to Antarctica. The Arctic Tern sees more daylight during their lifetime than any other bird or animal living today. They may travel distances that exceed 22,000 miles in a year. This has been documented by bird banding were birds that have bands put on their legs in Canada were caught in Antarctica. Some scientists think they use stars to guide them on their long journeys.

The Bible says that Jesus watches over the little sparrow, so how much more he loves and watches over all His little children.

Burney Tompkins

- Uncle Burney

("The Builder" November, 1999)

Burney's Critter Corner

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