Giving terns a home at Preston Marina

An unusal choice? Nesting common tern - Paul Ellis

More than 80 pairs of common terns are nesting at Preston Marina thanks to a new conservation project aimed at improving breeding conditions for these declining seabirds.

Since 2009 common terns have attempted to nest on the breakwaters around the marina but despite increasing numbers, a lack of suitable nesting materials has hampered their success.  It is thought that the terns may have relocated from a breeding ground at Shotton on the Welsh side of the Dee Estuary.

Concerned about their plight, the RSPB and Fylde Bird Club teamed up see if they could help the birds and, following talks with Preston City Council, they were able to create numerous artificial nests by placing recycled tyres and gravel on the breakwaters.

As a result of their efforts, the number of terns nesting at the marina has more than doubled from last year and more birds are still arriving.

Common terns are smaller than gulls but are faster and more agile. They chase away any gulls that get too close to their nests. Terns can be distinguished by their very long pointed wings, forked tails, black caps and black tipped red bills.

Paul Ellis of the Fylde Bird Club said:  Like all things designed for great speed and agility, common terns look stunning. These good looks are the result of an evolutionary arms race with other birds. Terns need to bring fish back to their nests without losing them to gulls and other pirates and so must be able to out-fly them all.

 That s what makes common terns so spectacular to watch and it s great to be able to see them so well in a city. When common terns first started to nest at the marina they had hardly anything to nest on and we realised that it would be very easy to help them, just by putting out gravel.  Clare Reed, the RSPB s Marine Conservation Officer for North West England, said:  Despite what their name might suggest, common terns have been struggling in recent years, possibly because of declines in their food sources such as sandeels. In the North West, in particular, there has been a notable loss of them from some areas, so it is fantastic that the marina is able to give them a home.  Councillor Robert Boswell, Cabinet Member for Environment at Preston City Council, said:  To have such wonderful seabirds nesting and thriving in Preston is simply remarkable.  It just goes to show the amazing richness and diversity of our local environment.  We are delighted to have helped and hope that this colony of common terns can go from strength to strength and increase their numbers in the years to come.