Common Tern Breeding Success on LROS Rafts in 2024

Despite challenging weather and competition from Black-headed Gulls, Common Terns continue to breed on our rafts. In total, 26 chicks fledged from rafts at Watermead Country Park, Cossington, and Stanford reservoir. Common Terns also breed on the island at Hicks Lodge amongst one of the county’s biggest gull colonies. It should not be overlooked that without a massive effort by volunteers to clear the vegetation, this island would not be attractive to nesting gulls and terns. This year, Common Terns bred, with four pairs recorded and six pullus seen.

Four Common Terns were colour-ringed at WCP this summer, bringing our total to 159 colour-ringed since 2014. We have now received 229 sightings from fifty observers. The most recent involved Orange U21, which was ringed this year at WCP on 10th July. It successfully fledged and was at Cropston reservoir on 4th August. It was then reported from Formby Point, Merseyside on 16th August and at Seaforth NR on 19th August. Hopefully, it is now on its way south to the Gulf of Guinea, before returning to breed in two years’ time. Common Tern is Amber listed and an uncommon breeder in the counties. The local breeding success of this species has benefitted from the continued support from LROS and a small group of dedicated volunteers.

Andy Smith and Colin Green