Wildlife

UK Little Tern Conservation and Beach Management

Conservation of little terns on UK beaches and the management needed to protect this vulnerable seabird.

Key Facts

Little terns are the UK's smallest seabird and highly vulnerable to nest disturbance
UK little tern population is around 1,500 pairs concentrated on sandy beaches
Electric fence protection and wardening significantly improve breeding success
Tidal flooding can destroy entire colony productivity in a single event
Little terns undertake long migrations to West African wintering grounds

Welfare Considerations

Little tern chicks are highly vulnerable to predation and flooding, with active protection measures delivering direct welfare benefits to individual birds.

What You Can Do

Support RSPB and Wildlife Trust little tern protection projects
Respect beach exclusion zones where little terns are nesting
Donate to seabird conservation through the Seabirds Count survey initiative