On a mission to save one of our rarest birds
TWO guardians have been recruited to help protect a North East nesting colony of one of the UK’s rarest breeding birds.
Liz Shaw and Ruth Smith are graduates of Durham Wildlife Trust’s Volunteer Reserves Officer scheme, established to train conservationists.
They will work as wardens at the little tern nesting site at Crimdon on behalf of the Durham Heritage Coast Partnership.
Little terns first started nesting at Crimdon in 1995 but because they are ground-nesting birds, they are vulnerable to disturbance.
However, thanks to efforts over the past 30 years, the site is now recognised as one of the most successful breeding colonies in the UK.
Little terns migrate from West Africa to nest on beaches on the UK coastline. They are in decline throughout the UK due to climate change, nest disturbance and predation.
Coralie Niven, of the Heritage Coast Partnership, said: “This vital monitoring and recording work will make a significant contribution to the protection of this bird. We hope 2017 will build on the successes of 2016 and that it is a very positive season for the little tern.” In 2013 the five-year little tern Recovery project, which is led by the RSPB, was successful in gaining EU funding. It involves the RSPB and partner organisations, of which Durham County Council is one, working to help conserve the little terns as well as gaining data for future management. Last year at Crimdon 84 pairs of little terns fledged 58 youngsters. So far this year 152 individual little terns have been counted who will soon pair up and start nesting. The Northumberland Little Tern Project is also looking for volunteers to protect the county’s nesting sites at Long Nanny near Beadnell Bay and Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve. The project’s Iain Robson said: “Volunteers are essential for the protection of our breeding shorebirds. “Together with the team of wardens, we need them to talk to beach users about the birds and prevent them from accidentally disturbing them. This makes a huge difference to breeding success.” For information about volunteering, contact Iain Robson on 01670 622660 or email iain.robson@northumberland.gov.uk Find out more about the project by visiting http:// www.littleternproject.org.uk/ For more information on volunteering opportunities email littletern@durhamwt.co.uk
This vital work will make a significant contribution to the protection of this bird Coralie Niven