May 16, 2025: After spring arrival in Falmouth, Common Terns forage for small fish, court through food offerings and aerial displays, and form pair bonds while preparing to nest in dense, noisy coastal colonies along Buzzards Bay.

After arriving on Cape Cod in early May, Common Terns quickly begin foraging and pair bonding in preparation for breeding. They feed mainly on small fish like sand lance, silversides, and herring, diving into shallow coastal waters near the colony. Males present fish to females during courtship, a key step toward forming pair bonds.

Pairs form or reunite shortly after arrival. Courtship involves aerial displays such as the “fish flight” and synchronized “high flights,” along with strutting and nest-scraping on the ground. Nest sites are shallow scrapes in sand or shell-covered areas, often densely packed within a noisy colony. By early June, most pairs have chosen nest sites and begun laying eggs.