What specific micro-habitat do Sabine’s Gulls favor when constructing nests on the Arctic tundra?
Directly on the ground near standing water like small ponds or lakes
The nesting requirements for the Sabine’s Gull dictate that they must build their nests directly on the ground within their high-latitude breeding environments. A crucial necessity for this placement is the proximity to water bodies, such as small ponds, lakes, or the edges of larger water features. This closeness to water is vital as it provides the necessary resources for feeding the newly hatched chicks and sustaining the adult birds throughout the demanding reproductive period in the harsh Arctic environment. Observing them during this phase requires access to these specific tundra locations where aquatic features are readily available.

#Videos
Xeme Facts: Sabine's Gull (Xema) 𓅰 Animal Fact Files - YouTube