Little Terns

Little Terns, Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, East Sussex

These tiny birds nest on sandy and shingle beaches. I photographed these birds on the beach at Rye Harbour where there was a very small colony. Because people like the same places these birds do they are very vulnerable to disturbance.

Only 25cm long but with long thin wings these acrobatic birds catch small fish and invertebrates which they pluck from, or near, the surface of the water. Wintering in West Africa and living up to 25 years these charming birds are really special and I am grateful for the work that people put in to protect their precious colonies around the country.