Little terns are among the UK's rarest breeding seabirds, nesting on beaches where protection from disturbance and predation is essential for welfare and survival.
Little tern welfare at breeding beaches is critically dependent on protection from disturbance. Adults flushed from nests leave eggs exposed to temperature extremes and predators. Nests trampled by unknowing beachgoers cause direct egg mortality. Warden-managed sites with electric exclosures achieve breeding success rates several times higher than unmanaged beaches. Individual breeding pairs make multiple nesting attempts after failures, incurring energy costs and welfare stress. Welfare-focused beach management during the breeding season transforms breeding success and reduces the welfare cost of repeated nesting failures.