Record breaking season for little tern colony on the Northumberland coast

National Trust rangers at Long Nanny, near Beadnell, say it is the most successful little tern breeding season in the site’s recorded history. 

A minimum of 126 pairs of little terns nested at the colony in 2026, comfortably surpassing the previous site record of 57 pairs set in 1994.

The tiny seabirds, which are the UK’s second rarest breeding seabird, have made at least 158 nesting attempts this season, with at least 82 chicks known to have fledged from the site.  

The Long Nanny site is the largest mainland colony of Arctic terns in the UK and rangers have recorded a minimum of 730 breeding pairs this year. Rangers counted 1,346 eggs during the Arctic tern nest count in early June.   

James Porteus, lead ranger for the National Trust on the Northumberland Coast, said: “This has been an exceptional season for little terns at Long Nanny and the numbers we’re seeing are hugely encouraging.

"To have more than doubled the previous site record for breeding pairs is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the hard work of staff, volunteers and partner organisations who help protect the colony each year. 

“It was especially exciting to see so many chicks hatching and fledging. Little terns face huge challenges throughout their migration and breeding cycle, so every successful nesting attempt is important for the future of this vulnerable species. 

“We’re also encouraged to see a very small increase in our Arctic tern numbers this year, with good numbers of chicks fledging from the colony. The combination of the Arctic terns and little terns in higher numbers created a busy and vibrant seabird spectacle.”

However, rangers have confirmed that the chick hatched by Nigella, the returning American black tern, and her Arctic tern partner sadly died shortly after hatching at the end of June. The chick appeared to struggle with the larger fish available within the Arctic tern colony and, while disappointing, the outcome was not entirely unexpected.  

Despite the loss, Nigella’s successful pairing and nesting attempt remains a remarkable wildlife story. Believed to be the only known American black tern to return to the UK year after year, this summer marked her seventh consecutive breeding season at Long Nanny.  

James added:  “Naturally, we’re disappointed that Nigella’s chick did not survive, but her return and nesting attempt remain extraordinary. She has become something of a celebrity among birdwatchers and conservationists, and her story continues to provide valuable insight into the behaviour of this rare visitor.”