Little Terns are one of the most threatened seabirds in the UK and the colony on Chesil Beach in Dorset is the last in South West England. The Chesil Beach Little Tern Recovery Project relies on a team of volunteers each year and are now appealing for help to protect this season’s chicks. Photo above: Fluffy Little Tern chick on pebbles at Chesil Beach by Morgan Vaughan
Chesil Beach in Dorset is a vital stronghold for the last Little Tern colony in the south west. The colony’s success depends upon a team of dedicated volunteers who help protect each year’s chicks, as part of the Chesil Beach Little Tern Recovery project. This is led by the RSPB, in partnership with the Chesil & Fleet Nature Reserve, Dorset Wildlife Trust, Crown Estate, Portland Court Leet & Natural England.
Photo above: Two adult Little Terns perched on Buoy one with fish in its mouth, by Angela Thomas
The Little Tern is one of the UK’s smallest and most vulnerable seabirds, weighing no more than a tennis ball. The UK Little Tern population has been declining since the 1980s, and their numbers have dropped by almost a fifth (18%) since the year 2000. Little Terns face multiple pressures in the UK, including coastal flooding exacerbated by climate change and rising sea levels, declining food availability, disturbance from people, dogs, and predators.
Tara Watson, RSPB Chesil Beach Little Tern Project Officer: “Our volunteer warden team are what makes the Chesil Little Tern Project flourish with their commitment to protecting the birds, their insightful ideas, their vast array of skills and their kindness. Everyone is passionate about learning and when I meet with volunteers, I always learn something from them. One of my favourite moments towards the end of this season was getting out on the Fleet Explorer boat with the volunteers and watching the fledglings learning to fish. It was so exciting to think these birds, at less than a year old, will be flying thousands of miles on migration very soon, and in a couple of years hopefully we’ll see them back here again!”
Photo above: Tara Watson and RSPB Volunteer surveying Little Terns from the boat
The project is now appealing for volunteers to monitor and protect the Chesil Little Tern colony throughout this year’s breeding season, from April to August.
Tasks include:
Photo above: Volunteer setting up predator fencing around the Little Tern colony on Chesil Beach, to protect them. By Tara Watson
Joe Kaplonek, Chesil Beach Little Tern Volunteer, said: “I’ve been volunteering for the project for eight years. I look forward to the sound of Little Terns returning in spring with their burry calls. Each year has been different with its own challenges and delights. No prior experience is necessary to become a volunteer, just being able to spend a little of your spare time to give nature a hand.”
Georgina Shaw, RSPB Little Tern Project Volunteer in 2022, said: “I was new to the project last season, but I’m already a big fan of the small, but courageous Little Terns. Volunteering on this project is so fulfilling; it’s my way to give something back to Portland and it’s been a great way to meet some lovely, like-minded people.”
Photo above: Little Tern parent feeding chick on Chesil Beach by Angela Thomas
Help protect the future of the Chesil Little Tern colony by joining the 2023 volunteer team - learn about the ecology of beach-nesting birds and build your experience in conservation. To find out more and apply, email: chesil.tern@rspb.org.uk
If you’ve been inspired by the volunteer stories above, but don’t live near Chesil Beach, volunteers are needed to help rare beach nesting birds right around England!
To find out more about volunteering opportunities near you, click here.
Photo above: RSPB Volunteer on Chesil Beach monitoring Little Tern colony using binoculars by Tara Watson