A dedicated conservation project, now in its 40th year, is showing significant success in protecting the United Kingdom's threatened little tern population. The initiative, focused on coastal areas of Norfolk and Suffolk, has resulted in a record 700 ground nests for the species this season.
Little terns migrate approximately 3,000 miles from West Africa to breed on the UK coast. However, they face numerous challenges, including high tides, natural predators, and accidental disturbance from beachgoers and their dogs. These factors have historically placed the species at risk.
"I think without all the concerted effort of many, many people there's no way that the numbers would be increasing in the way they are now," said Finn Duncan, community and volunteering officer for the RSPB Tern Around project. "Year by year now, we're getting more little tern fledglings off and away back to Africa - so that's really amazing."
The project relies heavily on the support of local volunteers and wardens who provide round-the-clock monitoring of breeding sites. This continuous effort ensures the safety of nests and chicks, contributing to the species' population recovery.
Conservationists have observed a marked improvement in the future outlook for little terns, a direct result of the sustained, collaborative effort over four decades. The increasing number of fledglings successfully making their journey back to Africa each year highlights the effectiveness of these conservation strategies.