Guest blog from Rhiannon Baker, Little tern project officer, with an update on the Kessingland little tern colony
This morning there was an eerie silence on the beach: the little terns had gone. This is not bad news, however, as they have started their long migration back to West Africa where they spend their winter.
We have had 19 fledglings at our Kessingland site this year, a record number for the site since the EU Life+ Project began four years ago.
This has been down to the contribution of the RSPB little tern volunteers in Suffolk and the support of the local community. It would be impossible for these rare birds survive without this support and I am always delighted to hear and see how much people appreciate the colony. There have been many challenges this year but seeing our fledglings flying and fishing for themselves makes it worth all the effort; especially knowing that they will come back in two or three years’ time.
Fingers crossed for continuing success in 2018 – the final year of the EU Life Project.
Fantastic news! Let's hope for another good season next year.
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.