Wildlife Welfare

Wild Tern Colony Management and Welfare

Common and sandwich terns nest in dense colonies on beaches and islands, and management of predators, disturbance and habitat supports breeding success and individual welfare.

Key Facts

Tern colonies can number thousands of pairs and require predator-free ground for nesting
Fox and mink predation can cause colony abandonment if not managed
Human disturbance on nesting beaches causes chick exposure and adult flush responses
Floating pontoon tern rafts have created new predator-free nesting opportunities
Food availability - particularly sand eels and small fish - determines chick survival rates

Welfare Considerations

Tern colony welfare depends on the management of threats that reserve wardens can control. Predator management, visitor restrictions and habitat quality work directly for individual birds - protecting eggs, keeping chicks warm and allowing adults to provision without constant disturbance. Food availability in the marine environment remains the factor reserve managers cannot control but that determines chick welfare in key years.

What You Can Do

Support RSPB and wildlife trust reserves managing tern colony habitats
Respect tern colony exclusion zones during the breeding season
Donate to marine conservation organisations working to maintain sand eel populations