Denbighshire Countryside Service staff and volunteers at the Little Tern colony in Gronant have seen all their hard work pay off, with 2010 becoming a record breaking season.
A record total of 114 breeding pairs of this small, rare seabird were counted this year at the Denbighshire County Council managed Gronant site. An amazing 216 fledglings, also a site record, are now getting ready for their first migratory flight to Africa.
Gronant, a short walk along the seashore from the town of Prestatyn, is still the only remaining Little Tern colony in Wales. Unfortunately, the small seabirds have suffered greatly from loss of breeding habitat, a higher abundance of natural predators and negative human interference.
Adrian Hibbert, a Countryside Warden for Denbighshire County Council said: “The Little Tern colony in Denbighshire would soon disappear but for the high level of protection given to it by dedicated staff and volunteers. I’m happy to say that over the last 5 years the little tern colony at Gronant cannot be matched for its productivity by any other UK colony. Little Terns in Wales can rely on us to help them on the road to recovery’
Councillor Sharon Frobisher, Cabinet Lead Member for Environment, said: “As an authority we are very proud to have the last remaining colony of little tern in Wales.
“The colony is undoubtedly in safe hands and the protection scheme is a fantastic example of how the local authority can work in partnership with the local community to deliver these well organised and cost effective schemes. I would also like to thank the Countryside Council for Wales who essentially grant aid the project.”
