Key tern colonies along the UK coast are showing signs of recovery following a difficult period marked by avian flu outbreaks, flooding, and erratic weather patterns, according to the National Trust.

At Long Nanny on the Northumberland coast, little terns have experienced a record-breaking breeding season, indicating a positive shift for the species. Similarly, over 1,100 pairs of Sandwich terns returned to breed at Blakeney Point in Norfolk after a two-year absence, signaling a restoration of a once-declining population.

Despite these encouraging developments, experts caution against complacency, emphasizing ongoing challenges for tern species, particularly Arctic terns. Their colonies have been severely affected in recent years, with the Arctic tern population at Long Nanny suffering heavy losses due to avian influenza in 2023. In addition, successive seasons have seen nesting sites impacted by high spring tides and extreme weather conditions.

Researchers underline that climate change continues to pose significant risks. Rising sea levels, shifting marine environments, and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns contribute to the ongoing vulnerability of these coastal bird populations. Disease outbreaks, including avian flu, remain a persistent threat to the health and viability of tern colonies.

Conservationists suggest that the recent improvements highlight the potential for recovery when conditions are favorable but stress the need for continued monitoring and protective measures to safeguard these species against the compounded impacts of environmental change and disease.