Seabirds

Little Tern Welfare and Beach Nesting Threats

Little terns are the UK rarest nesting seabird, restricted to a few coastal shingle beaches. They face threats from recreational disturbance, predation, and coastal flooding that make beach management critical to their welfare and survival.

Key Facts

Little terns have a UK population of around 2,000 pairs, making them the rarest nesting seabird
They nest on open shingle beaches that are also popular recreational destinations
RSPB and Wildlife Trust wardens protect nesting sites with electric fencing and 24-hour presence
Coastal storm surges can flood and destroy entire colony nests in a single event
Little terns make multiple nesting attempts if early nests fail, extending the vulnerable period

Welfare Considerations

Little tern chicks that scatter during disturbance events on busy beaches are difficult to locate and may be trampled or separated from parents for fatal periods. Foxes, crows, and kestrels predate eggs and chicks during disturbance events. Storm flooding of nest sites causes catastrophic losses. The extreme rarity of little terns means every chick fledged or lost has significant population welfare significance.

What You Can Do

Respect wardens and fencing around little tern colonies when visiting beaches
Donate to RSPB little tern project funding warden time at key sites
Advocate for speed restrictions and beach management on beaches with little tern colonies
Support coastal realignment projects that create new shingle habitat for little terns
Report little tern colony locations to RSPB and avoid sharing publicly