Download little tern - Durham Biodiversity Partnership

SPECIES ACTION PLAN SPECIES ACTION PLAN
BIRDS
LITTLE TERN
(Sterna albifrons)
What is a LITTLE TERN?
The little tern is an attractive summer visitor to the
UK. It is the smallest of five species of tern breeding
around the coasts of Britain. The little tern usually nests
in small, single species colonies on areas of sand and
shingle, sometimes only metres from the high tide mark.
The nest is little more than a scrape on the shingle or
gravel shore. British breeding little terns winter off the
west coast of Africa. The little tern feeds on a range of
small fish and crustaceans which are almost invariably
caught in inshore waters.
Where are they found in the UK?
The UK stronghold of the little tern is in eastern and
southern England (over 1,500 pairs), with 150-200 pairs
breeding between the Humber and the Scottish Border.
In Scotland, there are currently about 300 pairs which
have expanded their range as far north as Caithness and
Orkney as well as several colonies along the west coast
and in the Outer Hebrides. In Wales and in the Isle of
Man, there are about 50 pairs. Populations are
concentrated where there are suitable breeding beaches.
Why is the little tern of CONSERVATION
IMPORTANCE?
The little tern is one of Britain’s rarest seabirds. During
the nineteenth century, the little tern population
underwent a major decline. There was a partial recovery,
followed by a further decline in the 1930s. Since the
STATUS:
The little tern is protected under
Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and
Countryside Act (1981). It is listed
on Annex 1 of the EU Birds
Directive and under Appendix II of
the Berne Convention.
The little tern is classified as a
Species of Conservation Concern in
Britain because it breeds in
internationally significant numbers
(i.e. more than 20% of the
population of north-west Europe) and
because greater than 50% of the
population is concentrated into ten
areas.
1970s, the population has been in long term decline. In
a study which started in 1968, 2,800 pairs were then
recorded in 1975. In 1998, the recorded population of
c.1700 was the lowest number recorded since the study
began.
The little tern breeds in the UK in internationally
important numbers. In 2000, there were 2,400 breeding
pairs in Britain and 390 breeding pairs in Ireland. This
comprises 13% of the European population.
Other action plans and statements covering
issues relevant to the little tern:-
STRANDLINE***
SAND DUNES***
COMMERCIAL FISH***
B20
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BIRDS
SPECIES ACTION PLAN SPECIES ACTION PLAN
LITTLE TERN
(Sterna albifrons)
THE LITTLE TERN IN THE DURHAM AREA
How HEALTHY is the local population?
As of summer 2000, the little tern population along the
Durham and Cleveland coast was in an extremely
precarious state. Following the failure of the entire main
colony at Crimdon in 1999, due to egg theft, no
breeding birds returned in 2000. A few pairs attempted
to breed on the southern side of the Tees Estuary but
failed.
In the summer of 2001, birds returned to the Crimdon
location and in July 20 pairs nested; 30 young were
successfully fledged.
How much do we know about the little tern
in the DURHAM AREA?
The little tern has always been a rare passage and
summer visitor to the DBAP area. Locally, little terns
Little terns are at RISK from:
PREDATION - mammalian predation of eggs and chicks
by rats, hedgehogs, stoats and foxes. The fox is by far
the most destructive predator of little terns in the
Durham area. Avian predators include kestrels, carrion
crows, magpies and the larger gull species.
FLOODING - little tern nests are often situated not far
above the high tide mark. When onshore winds
combine with high tides, particularly spring tides,
breeding colonies can be flooded. In most years some
nests, eggs or chicks were lost, at both Crimdon and
Coatham, as a consequence of flooding.
EGG COLLECTING - the eggs of little terns are a target
for egg thieves. The entire Durham colony was
destroyed by an egg collector in 1999.
DISTURBANCE - little tern colonies are very vulnerable
to human disturbance, dogs, motorbikes, four-wheel
drive vehicles and quad bikes. Motor vehicles currently
cross the former site of the little tern colony.
have bred at Coatham Sands in Redcar and Cleveland
since 1908. They moved north from this site to a colony
at Crimdon Dene Sands, and from 1995 to 1999, this
was a site of national significance in terms of relative
breeding success. In 1998 the colony was the most
successful in the UK in terms of the production of
fledged young per pair.
WHERE is the little tern found in the Durham
area?
From 1995 until 1999, the little tern bred at Crimdon
Dene and fished close inshore from Blackhall south to
Redcar between late April and late August. Prior to this
the main colony was situated south of the river Tees
with a few pairs attempting to breed at a "satellite"
colony. Occasional breeding attempts have been made
LACK OF A CO-ORDINATED APPROACH TO LITTLE
TERN CONSERVATION IN THE DURHAM AREA - the
mobile nature of little terns and their breeding colonies
means that a co-ordinated, regional approach is
necessary for their successful conservation. Lack of
guaranteed funding for little tern conservation has been
a long standing problem meaning that protection of the
little tern colonies has been dependent to a greater or
lesser extent on the hard work done by local volunteers.
GLOBAL WARMING AND SEA LEVEL RISE - climate
change is predicted to lead to rising sea levels and
increasingly severe storm conditions. It is predicted that
there will be at least a 10% increase in the incidence of
summer gales this century. As little terns nest during the
spring and summer in the UK, it seems likely that flooding
will pose an even greater hazard to little terns in the future.
at Seaton Sands and Seaton Snook. The little tern is
one of the interest features of the Teesmouth and
Cleveland Coast SPA, the boundary of which includes
the colony at Crimdon.
COMPETITION WITH FISHERIES - about half the annual
tonnage of fish landed from the North Sea is small fish
e.g. sand eels, upon which seabirds rely. Recent studies
have shown that, because of its ecology and behaviour,
the little tern is highly vulnerable to localised depletion
of its food sources. However there is no real evidence to
suggest that this is a problem in the DBAP area.
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BIRDS
SPECIES ACTION PLAN SPECIES ACTION PLAN
LITTLE TERN
(Sterna albifrons)
Little terns BENEFIT from:
WARDENING - twenty four hour wardening is essential
to protect vulnerable little tern colonies, especially in
areas that are popular for recreation, and in order to
raise public awareness of the species.
HARSHER PENALTIES FOR EGG COLLECTORS - the
Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 includes
measures to strengthen the enforcement of species
protection, including higher fines and custodial
sentences for wildlife crimes. It is important to work
closely with the Wildlife Liaison Officers of Durham
Constabulary to ensure enforcement.
PROVISION OF SHELTERS - if predation by birds, such
as kestrels, or mammals, especially foxes, is a major
problem, then chick shelters may be tried. These allow
chicks to hide from predators.
TARGETS
1
Re-establish the little tern as a breeding
bird in the DBAP area, through the
protection and management of suitable
breeding sites.
2
(ONGOING)
Ensure the long term breeding success of
the little tern in the DBAP area.
(ONGOING)
3
Monitor annual success of any breeding
colonies should the species be established.
(ONGOING)
ELECTRIC FENCES - electric fences around nesting
colonies can be useful in excluding both natural
predators and human disturbance.
4
Establish
a
cross-boundary,
multi-
disciplinary working party to secure
funding and a coordinated conservation
FLOOD PROTECTION - in some colonies, where flooding
has been a problem, successful remedial steps have been
applied. This has involved either raising the nest site
artificially or gradually moving the nests higher up the
beach. However, this is a last resort.
SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT - reform of
the European Common Fisheries Policy is essential to
ensure that fish in the North Sea are harvested
sustainably.
Important HABITATS for little tern are:
SAND AND SHINGLE BEACHES
INSHORE WATERS AND ESTUARIES
strategy for little terns in the area.
(2001)
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BIRDS
SPECIES ACTION PLAN SPECIES ACTION PLAN
LITTLE TERN
(Sterna albifrons)
ACTION PLAN
ACTION
DATE
Possible PARTNERS
Meets TARGET No.
POLICY AND LEGISLATION
1.
The importance of breeding (and
potential) sites should be highlighted
in local planning documents.
As new
local plans
are written/
revised
EDC, DCC, HBC
1, 2
2.
Enforce protection measures as
required in legislation for SSSIs,
SPAs and Schedule 1 species.
ONGOING
EN, Local Police,
Warden, EDC, DWT
TVWT, INCA
1, 2
3.
Lobby for reform of CFP in 2002.
2001
MCS, All interested
individuals, DWT, LAs,
DEFRA, DBAP
2
SPECIES MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION
4.
Have in place a funding package to
employ a little tern warden prior to
the return of the birds.
ONGOING
INCA, Little Tern
Working Group
5.
Prepare to warden the breeding site
full time, prior to the return of the
little terns in spring, to protect the
birds from disturbance.
ONGOING
INCA, HBC, TVWT,
EN, RSPB, DWT, DBC,
TBC
1, 2
6.
Fence off the breeding area
completely.
Beginning
of May,
annually
Warden, HBC, EDC
1, 2
7.
Consider the use of shelters to
protect chicks.
Beginning
of May,
annually
Warden
1, 2
8.
If the nesting area is in danger of
flooding due to storms or spring
tides, then gradually move nests up
the beach. This can only be carried
out by licensed individuals.
If required
Warden, EN
1, 2
9.
Work with partners on a regional
basis to achieve plan objectives for
little tern.
ONGOING
INCA, TVWT, DWT,
HBC, Wildlife Liaison
Officers, DBC, TBC, RSPB
1, 2, 4
1, 2, 4
continued...
SPECIES ACTION PLAN SPECIES ACTION PLAN
B20
BIRDS
LITTLE TERN
(Sterna albifrons)
ACTION PLAN
ACTION
DATE
Possible PARTNERS
Meets TARGET No.
RESEARCH AND MONITORING
10. Monitor and record the numbers and
breeding success of little terns in
Durham. Continue from the data
already established, by means of long
term ringing and colour-ringing
studies by Tees Ringing Group and
wardens.
ONGOING
DBC, EDC, DWT, TBC,
TRG
2
11. Submit all records to the LRC.
ONGOING
All Partners, Local
Communities
3
ONGOING
DBC, DBAP, DWT,
Little Tern Working
Group
1, 2
13. Make information available to the
public about the little terns, their
rarity and the reason for protective
measures. Seek funding for signage
from the Countryside Agency.
ONGOING
EDC, DBAP, DWT, CA
1, 2
14. Encourage local residents to become
voluntary wardens during the
breeding season.
April - May,
annually
Local residents, DBC,
EDC, DWT
1, 2
ADVISORY
12. Advise local authorities regarding
conservation measures to benefit
little terns - rehabitat requirements,
wardening.
COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLICITY
N.B. This action plan assumes that little terns will
return to breed at Crimdon. If they do not return to
this particular site, they may return to another area
in the region. Funding and resources need to be
sufficiently versatile to meet this eventuality.