Tern turnaround: colonies in England show signs of recovery after decline

Little tern colonies in England are showing signs of recovery after years of decline caused by bird flu and extreme weather. The National Trust reports record numbers of breeding pairs at key sites, though conservation efforts remain ongoing.
Why it matters
This recovery demonstrates the effectiveness of protected habitat management in mitigating the impacts of environmental stressors on endangered species.
Little terns at Long Nanny in Northumberland, where record numbers have been reported for what is the UK’s second rarest breeding seabird. Photograph: Gary Woodburn/National Trust Images/PA Little terns at Long Nanny in Northumberland, where record numbers have been reported for what is the UK’s second rarest breeding seabird. Photograph: Gary Woodburn/National Trust Images/PA Birds Tern turnaround: colonies in England show signs of recovery after decline National Trust says latest figures encouraging – with numbers of birds on the rise – but work still to be done
Prefer the Guardian on Google England’s most important tern colonies are showing signs of recovery after being hit by years of bird flu, flooding and increasingly unpredictable weather, new figures from the National Trust reveal.
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