Little Tern Project looking for nature lovers to lend a hand

Little terns lay eggs on the beach and are very susceptible to human disturbance, as well as predation and high tides, which can wash away their nests.

In Northumberland, they mainly nest on the National Trust Long Nanny site in Beadnell Bay and Natural England’s Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve.

With funding made possible by players of the National Lottery and the EU Life+ Little Tern Recovery Project, Katherine Dunsford has taken up a graduate traineeship with the Coast Care volunteering initiative. Her role will be to recruit, train and support volunteers working with shorebirds at the Lindisfarne reserve.

She said: “Volunteers are essential for the protection of our breeding shorebirds. Together with the team of wardens, we need them to talk to beach users about the birds and prevent them from accidently disturbing them. This makes a huge difference to the breeding success of these small visitors. We are looking for passionate nature enthusiasts who enjoy talking to people and spending time along the coast.”

The Northumberland Little Tern Project is a partnership between the National Trust, Natural England, RSPB and the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership.

To volunteer, call 0781 356 3047 or email [email protected] or visit www.coast-care.co.uk