The population of a very small seabird has remarkably doubled in size at two Barrow nature reserves which has flown in the face of previous failures and over 80 visitor disturbances.

Cumbria Wildlife Trust reported that 2023 has been a positive year for little Terns at South Walney Nature Reserve, with 10 pairs producing 20 young, doubling their population size.  

It was also a positive year for seabirds at nearby Foulney Island Nature Reserve, with eight Arctic terns fledging.

This follows the failure of the 2022 Arctic tern season and before that, their complete abandonment of the site in 2020.

The two nature reserves have been under the watchful eye of two seasonal wardens this summer, who recorded the birds’ behaviours along with the successes and failures of the breeding season.

They’ve also been talking to visitors as the breeding season, which runs from April 1 to August 15, was marred by a number of disturbances that had negative impacts on the ground-nesting birds.

Visitors are asked to respect signage and keep to designated pathways. Dogs, apart from assistance dogs, aren’t allowed on either nature reserve during breeding season.

Despite this, dogs and their walkers accounted for half of the disturbances on both nature reserves.

Other disturbances were from kayakers paddling into no-access areas and microlights which can cause birds to panic and leave their nests - sometimes abandoning them for good.

Jessie Prentice, Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s Seasonal Warden at South Walney Nature Reserve, recorded 50 incidents of visitor disturbance at South Walney, with a further 32 incidents caught on camera traps.

Over half were people walking on the beach despite signs saying 'no access'.

Jessie said: "The vast majority of people were very understanding and apologetic, once I spoke to them to explain why they shouldn’t be walking there.

"I showed them photographs of nests and chicks to point out how well camouflaged they are on the shingle – this proved to be very helpful for people, once they understood the problem.

"We urge everyone to respect the signs and keep to the waymarked paths and any kayakers or canoeists to keep their distance from the nature reserve. This is especially important now, as grey seal pupping season is underway."

Bekka Watts, Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s Seasonal Warden at Foulney Island Nature Reserve took up residence for the summer in a caravan that was towed over the causeway. 

She said: "It’s a great place to spend the summer – there can’t be many jobs with a view like that!

The Mail: Bekka (middle) packing up with volunteers Lol and Tina at Foulney"I was particularly pleased that six little terns fledged, and eight Arctic terns.

"That may not sound like a huge number to some people, but to put this in context, three years ago Arctic tern had completely abandoned Foulney Island and last year, they came back but their season failed. So it’s good news.

"Also 12 ringed plover chicks fledged, helped by the same anti-predator nest cages that we used on South Walney – none of the caged nests were disturbed, and nine oystercatcher chicks got away.

"Spring tides are always a challenge for the nests, and while they washed away some eggs, we saw the little oystercatcher chicks swimming through the tides."

Visitors are very welcome at both sites to enjoy the amazing coastal and marine wildlife responsibly. 

South Walney Nature Reserve is open daily from 10am to 5pm (4pm in winter) with Foulney Island Nature Reserve near Barrow open all year. 

For more information on visitor guidelines, visit the government's website.