Small terns depend on both the marine and coastal terrestrial environment, foraging out at sea but roosting and nesting on nearby shores. Our smallest terns, the Little and Fairy Terns, are both vulnerable to extinction.
Populations of Fairy and Little Terns are experiencing major declines in south-eastern Australia. Because of human activities and introduced species, large breeding colonies are becoming rarer and many historical breeding sites are now deserted.
Monitoring breeding terns allows us to identify threats and keep track of population trends, guiding conservation efforts to mitigate threats and enhance their survival. However, this task is fraught with challenges, such as:
Once we know where colonies are, we can establish a team of monitors from the community, providing training, resources and support to make the area safe for nesting birds.
Our team of experts works with external researchers and partners to ensure we share information, identify goals and establish projects or campaigns to achieve our aims.
Working with Traditional Owners, tour operators, community volunteers and park rangers, we’re using volunteers to monitor Fairy Tern breeding sites across Australia, and Little Terns on the central and northern coasts of Queensland.
We’ve installed remote cameras which are monitoring key breeding sites to determine local population trends.
Erecting signs and temporary fencing around breeding sites averts disturbance, and our remote cameras and volunteer observers can reveal evidence of predators and other threats. We work with land managers to implement predator control programs.
In the Gippsland Lakes, dredged sand has been used to create more than 1000 hectares of extra breeding habitat on Pelican Island. Subsequent monitoring recorded 51 Fairy Tern chicks fledged in 2016, with another 47 fledging in 2017.
This project won a Victorian Coastal Award in 2018, in the Biodiversity Conservation Category.
Small changes in behaviour can help people and beach-nesting birds live together in harmony. Follow these 6 simple steps to become a bird-friendly beachgoer.
Crucial coastal and wetland habitat is being destroyed – and migratory shorebird populations are declining rapidly. Your urgent donation will help give our migratory shorebirds safe homes to rest and feed.
Our national laws are not doing enough to halt the extinction crisis. To make a difference, we need our representatives to deliver stronger nature laws.
