Media Release – Nesting Terns Around Northern Beaches
27th April 2016
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Officers from the Northern Neighbourhood Policing Team are not just responsible for policing the streets and the neighbourhoods but also the green lanes and beaches that surround our shoreline.

Wildlife Crime Officer, Constable Mark Kerruish explains “ Terns will soon be nesting on beaches at the Ayres; and important colonies will be fenced off in order to try to protect these vulnerable sites.  These nesting colonies are clearly demarcated by numerous warning and advisory signs.”

Arctic and Little Terns nesting in the areas are classified as Schedule 1 protected birds under the Wildlife Act 1990.  Terns that migrate annually from the Southern Oceans to the Isle of Man nest and breed at these sites. The Terns make their nests by constructing a shallow scrape in the sand and shingle beach.

PC KERRUISH says “ the eggs that they lay; to the untrained eye are almost identical to the size and colour of stones on the beach.” 

The nesting colonies on the Northern beaches are the only location in the Island where these birds nest. Research shows they make an estimated 50’000 miles round journey to breed at these sites.

Other birds such as Oystercatchers and Ringed Plover use the area for nesting and safe refuge for their vulnerable chicks. In 2015 there were collectively over 300 nests on the beaches between Blue point and the Point of Ayre.

“If the Terns are disturbed this forces the parents to leave the nest for their own safety and to protect it against intruders. The eggs or chicks are then exposed, and the noise and activity resulting can attract the attention of predatory birds such as crows and gulls, which may then take the opportunity to fly in and predate the nests whilst the parent birds are busy with another perceived intruder.

If the exposure persists then the eggs or chicks may also overheat or chill depending on the prevailing weather, putting them at risk. The more time the birds are off the nest, the greater the risk of losing the eggs or chicks to exposure, predators or the adults abandoning their eggs.”

Outside of the restricted areas people are not advised to spend extended periods close to the fencing observing or photographing the birds. This can cause significant risk as nests are often close to the edges of the fenced areas, and the activity can cause the parent birds to be off the nest for extended periods causing the eggs or young to be at risk.  Anyone being harried by terns is more than likely too close to active nests and should retreat away from the colony.

PC KERRUISH stated “ I very much want members of the public to enjoy the scenery and wildlife that the island has to offer however I must remind people that disturbing nesting terns is an offence. The fencing and signage provide clear demarcation of such areas. Arctic terns will defend their nests and this can be a painful experience. Please therefore respect the controls put in place, which are in the interests of the terns and visitors.”

“I would also ask dog owners to be responsible, dogs must be kept on leads within the Ayres National Nature Reserve between 1st April and 31st July in order to protect other ground nesting birds just off the beach area.”

If any anyone is seen not observing the on-site guidance please report the matter to Ramsey Police Station on 812234 for the attention of wildlife crime officers Mark Kerruish or Chloe Keegan or the Department of Environment Food and Agriculture. 

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