PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The decline in the population of the little tern (Sterna albifrons) in the UK since the 1990s is a cause for concern. The principal threat to this shore nesting species is from human disturbance. After a decline between the 1930s and 1960s, the population recovered through protection and surveillance by wardens of breeding sites. However, in recent years the population has fallen again due to a range of factors, including disturbance, predation, habitat change and high tides linked to summer storms. There has been a reduction in the number of colonies, a loss of range in the west of the UK and, in general, there are poor levels of productivity. Sea-level rise also poses a threat to a number of current colonies. The total UK population is estimated to be less than 2 000 breeding pairs. The project will be the first nationally co-ordinated programme of action for the species, working with 29 colonies (about 65% of the total population) in 15 Special Protection Areas (SPAs) of the Natura 2000 network.
OBJECTIVES
The overall aim of the LIFE Little Terns project was to lay the foundations for the long-term recovery of the little tern (Sterna albifrons) in the UK, by securing robust breeding populations at key sites throughout the country. This would be achieved by:
- Increasing the total population of little terns across the project sites (SPAs) through enhanced management of existing breeding sites and restoration and creation of new sites. This will help to offset colony loss through the predicted effects of climate change and sea level rise. The main focus will be on the implementation of intensive, targeted management actions, including the control of public access and predation at 20 of the most important sites in the UK, selected primarily on colony size. This is expected not only to improve the species’ status at the targeted sites but also to increase the population at the national level;
- Securing commitment from statutory agencies and local authorities to support little tern conservation in the longer term. It will be essential for conservation actions proposed for key little tern sites to be aligned with wider and longer-term policy and legislative frameworks, such as ‘Shoreline Management Plans’ for flood risk management;
- Ensuring that the general public is sympathetic to the project and supports the long-term protection of the project sites. Signs will be erected at key sites and information materials disseminated. Most little tern breeding sites experience heavy visitor pressure, and management of recreational users is key to the long-term viability of the colonies at these sites. Where access is to be restricted in the breeding season it will be important to secure public support.
Together, these actions would lead to an increase in the breeding population of little terns across the project sites, from the current figure of 1 241 breeding pairs, the mean breeding productivity across targeted sites will be at least 0.75 chicks per pair per year and sites for sustainable colonies will be identified where current colonies are threatened.
RESULTS
The LIFE Little Terns project established a UK-wide partnership focused on protecting breeding sites of the little tern (Sternula albifrons). This resulted in improved management to address the threats of predation, disturbance, habitat change and tidal inundation at 29 recognised breeding sites with over 40 distinct sub-colonies.
Each of the 16 project Natura 2000 sites (SPAs) had enhanced wardening activity to protect breeding birds. Much information was collected on breeding behaviour and movement. The implementation of a colour-coded ringing scheme, in particular, led to new insights into movements between colonies. The bird ringing and re-sighting work will continue beyond the project, so that survival data can inform the long-term species recovery strategy.
The project team’s site management activities ranged from low-key and low-cost actions such as erecting fencing and signs to guide visitors, to predator-exclusion fences and extensive habitat management work such as vegetation removal to keep sites open, and adding shells or shingle to breeding sites or raising levels to reduce the risk of flooding.
Former nesting sites were restored and new ones created where existing colonies were 'full' and to provide more options for resilience to climate change. As a priority, the project team restored former sites and made enhancements to 17 sites within 12 SPAs. They also developed regional strategies to identify medium- to long-term opportunities for habitat creation, and this forms a key strand of the after-LIFE plan.
The monitoring programme showed that two-thirds of project sites had improved little tern productivity with five sites achieving a five-year average of 0.75 chicks per pair and another four achieving 0.66-0.74. As little terns are long-lived, it is expected that any upturn in population size will take longer to have effect. The change in population was measured by comparing the average number of pairs in the five years 2009-2013 (baseline) to the five project years 2014-2018. 14 out of the 29 sites had an increase in mean population size, 13 sites showed a decrease, and 2 had no change. For the total project population there was a decrease from the baseline mean of 1 109 pairs to 1 066 pairs; though population estimates can be affected by movements between sites and the results can be interpreted as slowing or stopping what had previously been a longer-term decline.
The project was strongly supported by local communities, who were engaged through public events, information boards, stories in the local media, and the recruitment of volunteers.
Key project legacies were the preparation of a UK Little Tern Species Recovery Plan 2019-2030, and the establishment of a UK Steering Group for little tern conservation. Project beneficiary, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, will continue to support work for this priority species and will dedicate staff time to ongoing coordination and scientific studies.
