The roseate tern is the rarest breeding seabird in the UK with only 131 pairs recorded in 2020. While the core colonies of this species in Ireland and the UK are growing, it’s essential to think about the long-term future of the species and helping expand their range. This is where the Western Solent is important. Improving and boosting the survival of the common tern colonies may mean the roseate terns will be more inclined to recolonise the areas in the future. As part of these efforts, the project worked to restore the degraded tern habitats and work to minimise predation. 
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This year, the partnership welcomed Bird Aware Solent rangers who carried out essential monitoring of the terns and public engagement activities. They have helped us develop our understanding of the issues faced by these migrant species. Encouragingly, they have also uncovered some signs of resilience in the face of issues such as sea level rise and disturbance. 

Mark, Western Solent Tern Ranger for the Roseate Tern LIFE Recovery Projects said “It is satisfying to see that the hard work put in by the Hampshire Countryside Team, volunteers and Roseate Tern rangers is paying off. This year, 6 little terns and 25 common tern chicks have fledged on the Normandy Lagoon at Lymington Nature Reserve - compared to only 3 little terns, and no common terns last year. We have also had a bumper year for Avocets with over 30 pairs and at least 15 chicks seen and other nesting birds such as Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Shelduck and Canada Geese. ​

David, RSPB Warden said: “To say we faced uncertainty going into the 2020 nesting season is somewhat of an understatement. Every summer since 2017, a dedicated team of RSPB staff and volunteers have installed 2 floating tern rafts in the lagoon at the West Hayling Local Nature Reserve. Terns are facing many challenges and the amount of suitable nesting habitat for them is very limited. The rafts give a vital lifeline to the population in the area. In a normal nesting season, the rafts would usually be launched by the end of April in preparation for the first wave of nesting terns but there was a real concern that the rafts would not be installed this year. However, thanks to some careful planning, a small team managed to successfully install the larger of the two rafts on the 20th of May and within minutes, the first prospecting terns landed on the raft. The smaller raft was installed the following week with similar effect. Over the course of the season, these rafts would go on to be home to over 40 pairs of nesting common terns as well as over 20 pairs of black headed gulls, many of which successfully raised chicks. Given the precarious start to the season, to see so many chicks hatch and fledge from these rafts was a real boost to morale and everyone involved in this collaborate effort can be proud in giving a helping hand to the next generation of common terns in the Solent.” 

Successful breeding seasons are vital for future populations. Sharing our shores with these birds is both a pleasure and a responsibility. Please help migrating birds throughout the year by following our coastal code. ​

Conservation efforts aim to improve the Common Tern colonies within the former range of Roseate Terns in the hope that big thriving colonies of Common Terns will lure Roseate Terns to settle there once again.

Sea Bird Threats

• Eroding Nesting Habitat:- This is a big problem, due to the sea level increase and extreme weather events a lot of nests get washed away, or chicks perish with adverse weather
• Food Shortages:-Due to climate induced changes in the marine environment eg. dwindling stocks of small fish such as sandeels.
• Human disturbance:- Nest disturbance by humans, dog walkers and they still suffer from egg collectors
• Predation:- Natural predators include foxes, otters, rats, large gulls, crows and peregrine falcons

The North-West Solent is the principal breeding location for Common, Sandwich and Little Tern in the Solent and Southampton Water special protected area (SPA). This is where I would have been working, especially around the Lymington and Keyhaven Nature reserve. I have not included the Artic Tern in this blog as it tends to be a more northerly breeder.

Gulls and Terns 
A lot of people confuse Terns with Seagulls. Firstly there is no such species as a seagull but there are many different types of species of gull. Secondly a tern is not a gull and there are also several species of tern. Some differences between terns and gulls are described below:-

Wings:- Terns have long-pointed wings while gulls have broad wings. 
Bills:- Terns have sharp bills while gulls have hooked beaks. 
Body:- Terns are smaller. 
Predatory practice :- Terns tend to dive to the water to grab fish while gulls float on water to pick up prey.

All Terns are migratory, often seen outside their breeding areas in spring and autumn, but absent from Europe in winter as they return to Western Africa

The Terns of the Western Solent

Roseate Tern
Sometimes referred to as a 'sea swallow'. Approximately over 100 pairs on Coquet island in the North East of England.

Identification:- Similar in size to a Common Tern, much much whiter, with a pale grey back and wings . Roseate has features similar to the Common and Artic Terns, having a long bill and relatively long legs and even longer tail streamers than the Artic Tern. The all dark bill is a strong feature of the spring Roseate Tern, which usually develops a red base as the summer progresses. It is a very pale tern, looking whitish except for a darker wedge on the leading edge of the longest flight feathers in late summer. Often has a pinkish or slight rosy flush to its underparts.

The sounds of a Roseate Tern can be heard here:- Roseate Tern Sound

Key Features:-

• Very pale, almost ghostly white tern

• Very long, loose tail streamers

• Nearly wholly black bill

Habits:-

• In flight has a stiffer action than Common and Artic Terns.
• It also has faster shallow wingbeats that are almost kestrel like.
• When fishing, it looks more confident as it turns and flies from a greater height into water than the Common Tern

Breeding:-

• Normally nests on small marine islands close to shore
• Nesting begins in June, shallow scrape made by both birds, usually in shelter of rock or vegetation
• Clutch of 1 or 2 eggs, incubated by both parents, with female main incubator
• Eggs hatch after 21-26 days, young stay near nest for up to 20 days, usually fly by 30 days
• Remain dependant on parents for at least 8 weeks after fledging.

Unfortunately now rarely seen on the Solent. Keep your eyes peeled. 


Common Tern
Common Terns frequently breed along the Solent. They will use a wider range of breeding sites than the Roseate Terns. They will nest inshore and will readily use artificial sites, including floating rafts. Approximately 10,500 UK pairs. 

Identification:-
This is the tern most likely to breed inland as well as the coast. It has classic tern features with grey wings, black cap and red bill but its the wings that give a lot of clues to its identification. The inner wings (called the secondaries) form a narrow dark band. The outer primary feathers instead of being pale and translucent have a dark, smudgy, wedge. Its body looks moderate in proportion, with mid-length tail streamers.

The sounds of the Common Tern can be heard here:- Common Tern Sound

Key Features:-

• Classic tern pattern of grey wings, black cap and red bill
• Tail streamers of moderate length
• Long bill is red with a black tip
• Dark 'wedge' in the outer primary feathers
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Habits:-

• Flight more direct and powerful than other smaller terns
• When fishing, flies with bill pointed down and often rises gently before hovering and diving head first
• A social species breeding in colonies and often seen in flocks
• Sometimes seen carrying a fish crossways in its bill to feed young or as a courtship offering to the female.
  
  

Breeding:-

• Breeding begins in May, with both adults constructing a scrape in the sand
• Sometimes pebbles and vegetation are added to the rim of the nest before and during incubation
• Incubation of 2 or 3 well-camouflaged eggs is by both sexes and lasts for 21-22 days
• Young leave the nest after 3-4 days and hide in nearby vegetation or in hollows in the sand whilst waiting to be fed
• They fly after 22-28 days and are fully independent after 2 or 3 months

Sandwich Tern
The sandwich Tern is the largest breeding tern in the UK. You can usually recognize it by its shaggy black crest. Approximately 11,000 UK pairs.

Identification:-
It has a front-heavy look, compounded by having a relatively short tail and large head, with a shaggy crest at the back. The bill is long and thick, black with a small yellow tip and the legs and feet are black.

The sounds of a Sandwich Tern can be found here:- Sandwich Tern Sound

Key Features:-

• Pale wings
• Relatively large head and short tail
• A long bill which is black with a yellow tip
  
  

Habits:-

• Often flies higher than other terns and can look very 'angular' and less buoyant
• Looks short tailed and will often fly with head and  bill pointing down
• Seldom hovers, but frequently dives with quite a large splash and usually stays under for longer than other terns
• Colonies can seem fickle and appear to move for no apparent reason
  
  

Breeding:-

• Breeds exclusively in coastal locations. using shingle, sandy and sometimes rocky beaches and also islands close to the shore
• Breeding begins at end of April and nests in large colonies with both adults making a simple scrape on the ground with little or no special lining
• 1 or 2 eggs are incubated by both adults for 21-29 days
• The young fly at 28-30 days and remain dependant on their parents for about 3 months

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Little Tern
The Little Tern, as its name suggests, is the smallest of the terns and is the UK's second rarest breeding seabird. Approximately under 2000 pairs in the UK.

Identification:-
A tiny localised tern, much smaller than the other sea terns. It has a relatively large sized head in comparison with rest of the body. The forehead is white and the bill is yellow with a black tip. Legs are also yellow but usually hard to see. Its slightness is also emphasised by the extremely pointed wings and narrow bill giving it a 'spiky' appearance.

The sounds of a Little Tern can be found here:- Little Tern

Key Features:-

• Very slim wings and relatively large head
• Yellow bill
• White forehead extending over eye
• Fine black leading edge of underwing
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Habits:-

•  Wingbeats are very fast
•  It frequently hovers before diving into the water
•  Does not normally form very large communal flocks like the larger terns
•  Breeds in colonies of average 30 pairs

Western Solent Status
The EU life Roseate Tern Recovery Project is trying innovative habitat creation and restoration techniques to improve the breeding success of our terns. Hopefully this will encourage the beautiful Roseate Tern to nest along the Solent once again. This work is being carried out in partnership with organisations including Hampshire County Council, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Lymington Harbour commissioners, National Trust, Natural England and the RSPB.

For more information on the Roseate Tern project, click on this link:-
Roseate Tern Life Recovery Project

For more information on Gulls and Terns, click on this link:-
RSPB - Gulls and Terns

and lastly

A BIG SHOUT OUT FOR ALL OUR ESSENTIAL KEY WORKERS WHO ARE DOING AN AMAZING JOB IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES

STAY AT HOME   HELP THE NHS   SAVE LIVES

It feels as it was just last month when I was writing similar thank you letter in December 2018. Another year has passed.
 
Those of us fortunate to be directly involved in the conservation of some of the best tern colonies in Europe, lived through dramas and successes of their colonies or even individual pairs and birds. Second "pure" pair of roseate terns at the Skerries, one pair at Larne Lough and the first mixed pair on Isle of May in 60 or so years certainly received a lot of love and protection. Their success depends on the determination of wardens who go out when it would be easier to stay in a shelter. 
 
If we talk about vigilance, the Coquet team had to show a lot of it this year with an otter roaming the island during the breeding season. As if the rat incursion in 2018 was not enough… These guys deal with whatever Nature throughs at them and ask for more (with a smile). Another record of 122 pairs and 1.29 productivity – well done. This is the third project's site which faces the otter issue after Cemlyn Bay and Larne Lough. There, we need to build fences and thanks to the RSPB Ecology team – they are pretty good. This is now a reality for these sites and we need to stay on top of it. 
 
Meantime, the source colony at Rockabill and Lady's Island Lake took a small 6% deep this year. Perhaps it is a result of the lower productivity in the last few years on the Rock, despite BirdWatch Ireland and National Parks and Wildlife Service pumping near or above 1 chick per pair into the metapopulation most of the years. It will be interesting to see how the trend will continue in the next 3-5 years. One is for sure, these colonies have world-class monitoring. If we have smaller clutches, B-chicks don't grow as well as in recent years or sandeels are coming smaller and less frequently, we will know it. If survival on wintering grounds is lower – we will know it. Do you want it by age class – no problem. 
 
We wouldn't move anywhere without the support of scientists who, let's face it - are pretty cool, so I will need to name some of them. Following the publication of the "demography" paper, we carried out two tracking studies in the last two years. One led by Martin Perrow and his team at ECON focused on visual tracking of roseate terns from Rockabill revealing the extent of distribution utilisation and many facts from foraging ecology at sea. Check out the September issue of the British Birds for more details. The second tracking project used geolocators to study migration patterns and wintering areas. Chris Redfern leads on a paper due next year – and, no – they don't go to Brazil. We have also sent an overdue manuscript on the GPS/ visual tracking of Arctic terns at the Skerries in collaboration with the BTO and ECON. I would like to thank Mark Bolton from the RSPB's ConSci team for his support in all these projects. 
 
It is tough out there for terns. Coastal squeeze and flooding, more frequent storms, predators, human pressure and abundance and quality of food declining in some regions. We need to take any opportunity to create new sites and manage the existing ones up to the best possible standards. We have a lot to learn from each other and it was great to see many of you in Bangor at the Irish Sea Tern Network Meeting – hopefully, it will be a source of inspiration and an incubator of good ideas and connections.
 
Next year, we are organising the North Atlantic Roseate Tern Webinar to connect practitioners on both sides of the puddle. The meeting will take place online on 24-25 February and everybody is welcomed to join in. Please send me an email if you need more details. 
 
Meantime, we need to wrap up the project next year. I am looking forward to working with many of you on updating the EU Action Plan and developing exit strategies for the colonies. We will also facilitate wrapping up all our collective knowledge into the best practice guidance for tern management and monitoring. 
 
Thank you for another great year. 

Merry Christmas and Cheers.
Daniel