England’s tern colonies show signs of recovery after avian flu crisis
London: Some of England’s most important tern colonies are showing signs of recovery after avian flu and unpredictable weather hammered populations.
According to new figures from the National Trust, little terns had a record-breaking breeding season this summer at Long Nanny wildlife reserve in Northumberland, where some 126 pairs nested — smashing the previous record of 57 in 1994.
The charity also recorded more than 1,100 pairs of sandwich terns at Blakeney Point in Norfolk following a two-year absence, while Arctic tern numbers “held steady”.
“After several years dominated by bird flu outbreaks, flooded nests and concerns about declining numbers, it’s incredibly encouraging to see the little tern colony responding so positively this year,” said James Porteus, a National Trust ranger.
However, the charity warned against complacency, pointing out that the Arctic tern, which migrates all the way from Antarctica every year, was recently added to the UK’s red list of imperilled birds.
