2020 a good year for threatened seabirds in West Sussex
A project to protect Sandwich Tern chicks was launched back in 2012
Last updated 7th Apr 2021
The RSPB’s called 2020 a hugely successful year for seabirds in West Sussex.
Last year a record 164 sandwich tern chicks were bred at the Pagham Harbour nature reserve, following a project to create a safe habitat for the birds back in 2012.
Sandwich Tern chicks normally make their nests on the ground – putting them at higher risk from predators.
Richard Archer, RSPB Conservation Officer, said,
“The coastal habitats that these birds rely on are shrinking, so restoring and creating suitable habitat is vital to their survival.
"The success of our little tern numbers has led to the highest number of breeding little terns in over a decade and reflects a huge amount of planning, hard work and innovation. Our volunteers, operating under Covid-19 restrictions, have been fantastic.
"If they can breed successfully, little terns will often return to the same nesting beach every year, so it’s a really positive sign that the work we are doing here will support the future of these vulnerable birds.”
It’s not just the terns which had an excellent year.
At RSPB Langstone Harbour 1579, pairs of Mediterranean gulls nested last year, the second-highest total ever recorded.
Mediterranean gulls were once very rare but are now breeding around the UK coast in increasing numbers.
Wez Smith, RSPB Site Manager. said,
“The future of our coastal breeding birds remains in a perilous state here on the south coast of England but it’s reassuring to see our ongoing work bearing positive results.
"Once again, this shows that when our shore nesting birds are protected in suitable coastal habitat and given space, they can thrive.
"Taking action to allow increasingly rare birds like little terns to nest on beaches near populated areas along with creating new sites to replace those that have been lost is a real sign of progress.
"It’s vital that we can continue our ongoing work to protect wildlife and the habitats they require to thrive.
"The truly amazing success for breeding terns at RSPB Pagham Harbour is a particular moment to be treasured in our coastal conservation work and should see a newly invigorated population of young sandwich and little terns returning over the coming years.”