Spectacular seabird spectacle at Preston Marina

An unusual choice? Nesting common tern - Paul Ellis 

Hundreds of seabirds are arriving at Preston Marina for the breeding season after making the epic journey from West Africa.

Over the next few months, the breakwaters around the Marina will be teeming with common terns as they attempt to nest on the surrounding breakwaters. Nicknamed sea swallows, these charismatic birds are admired for their graceful flight.

The RSPB is giving visitors the opportunity to get to know the charismatic seabirds with a series of tern-watching events starting on Saturday 23 May. Staff and volunteers from the nature conservation organisation will be on hand with powerful telescopes, offering close up views of the fast and agile birds.

Calum Booth, RSPB Marine Conservation Officer for North West England, is organising the events. He said: “Common terns are fascinating birds to see in action, whether it’s looking at the cute fluffy chicks in their nest or watching their speedy parents outmanoeuvre piratical gulls trying to steal their dinner.”   

Common terns have tried to nest on the breakwaters around the marina since 2009 but, initially, a lack of suitable nest materials hampered their success. 

Contrary to what their name might suggest, common terns have been in long-term decline and are classed as a species of conservation concern.

Keen to give the birds the best chance of nesting success, in 2011 the Fylde Bird Club teamed up with Preston City Council and created numerous artificial nests by placing recycled tyres and gravel on the breakwaters. In 2012, the RSPB joined the partnership and has actively supported the project ever since.

Over the last two years, Fylde Bird Club also has been working with pupils and staff at Saint Aidan’s Church of England Technology College, Preesall, to create purpose-built tern nest boxes. These provide tern eggs and chicks with shelter and protection from predators.

Deputy Headteacher, Anthony Lord, said "This has been an excellent project to be part of.  The students can't wait to see the birds actually settled on the boxes on site."

By providing safe places to nest, the number of terns breeding at the marina has gone from two pairs in 2009 to more than 140 in 2014.

Paul Ellis of the Fylde Bird Club, added: “Preston Marina offers an unsurpassed opportunity to see these birds at close quarters and watch all the drama of life in the colony. Last year the colony increased by 20% and two pairs of arctic terns joined the common terns. However, available nest material still limited their numbers.

“This year 106 new nest trays have been provided and we are hoping these will allow even more birds to join the colony.  If they continue to have good breeding success the population could eventually exceed 200 pairs.

“Once again, Preston City Council deserves high praise for supporting this project and we are very grateful to Saint Aidan’s Technology College for assisting by making nest trays.”

Preston City Councillor Robert Boswell, Cabinet member for environment, said: “This is a very important project for the council to be involved in. It’s fantastic news that the numbers of common tern pairs are growing year on year. Hopefully this can carry on with the efforts of the RSPB and Fylde Bird Club, we owe them a big thank you. I would urge people to get to one of the events and see these fascinating birds.”

The RSPB will be running common tern events at Preston Marina on the following dates: Sat 23 May, Sat 6 Jun, Sun 21 Jun, Wed 8 Jul, Wed 22 Jul, Thu 6 Aug, Fri 21 Aug. The free events run from 10am to 4pm. Visitors are free to drop by at any time. The events will take place in the long car park on Mariners Way. 

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.