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Roseate Tern Nestbox Update. An Adventurous Chick!

Wed 22nd Oct, 2014

We are excited to report that the chick hatched by the Roseate Terns whose nest-box on Coquet Island we sponsored this year not only thrived, but by the second week of July had fledged.  Prior to fledging however the chick was reported to be “pretty adventurous” and reluctant to stay in its own box – it was usually to be found either amid nearby plants or in another nest-box! 

After fledging the chick stayed around the beach area with its parents until finally leaving Coquet about a week later on its long and hazardous migration to West Africa. Our fingers are crossed for its safe return next spring after its biggest adventure yet! The chick will not however be fully mature for two years, so will not be producing offspring of its own in 2015, but if its parents return they are likely to use the same nest-box. The Rosy colony almost equalled its highest-ever number in 2014; however clutch sizes were relatively low, as exemplified by the occupants of the YCN nest-box, who produced only one egg. 

A CCTV system is necessary to monitor the terns round the clock during the breeding season and volunteers also watch from hides. Although there is no public access to Coquet, canoeists trying to land on the beach are a threat, as of course are people intent on stealing the eggs of these rare and vulnerable birds for illegal collections and profit. The tern terraces on the beach and the boxes themselves also require maintenance. YCN is therefore pleased to have helped enable the above work by contributing £150 to the total of £3400 raised by sponsors of the tern boxes this year. 

If you would like to sponsor a Roseate Tern nest-box, contact Mike Harris at mike.harris@rspb.org.uk, or call him in 07738 029905.