Little terns are Britain's rarest breeding seabird, nesting directly on shingle beaches that are also among the country's most popular recreational destinations, creating severe disturbance conflicts.
Little tern nesting on popular beaches faces some of the most acute disturbance pressures of any UK bird. Eggs and chicks are cryptically coloured but easily trampled by unaware beachgoers and their dogs. Adults repeatedly flushed from nests by walkers expose eggs and chicks to temperature extremes and predators. Predation at unprotected colonies can destroy entire breeding attempts. Colonies that receive wardening and electric fence protection achieve dramatically better welfare and productivity outcomes. As coastal recreational pressure increases, active colony management is increasingly essential for little tern welfare.