'Little tern decoys' encourage birds to nest in Walney

Bekka, an assistant warden who covers Walney, made the decoys to encourage the rare birds to nest in protected areas such as the floating tern raft or predator-proof fenced areas in the reserve. 

Bekka painting the little tern (Image: Cumbria Wildlife Trust)

In a video put out by the wildlife trust, Bekka said: "When birds that nest in groups see decoys, usually paired with sound lures, they will feel more confident nesting in that area." 

How talented is Bekka, our #Walney & #Foulney Assistant Warden?

She's made these decoys to encourage little terns to nest in protected areas, like our floating tern raft or inside predator-proof fenced areas.

We can hardly tell the difference, and neither can the terns 👍 pic.twitter.com/X42PvpRSBI

— CumbriaWildlifeTrust (@cumbriawildlife) April 7, 2024

The finished little terns (Image: Cumbria Wildlife Trust)

 "As decoys are attractive to birds that nest in groups they're actually really helpful in getting birds to colonise new areas, like when we put a new fence around appropriate habitat."

Bekka made 40 of the faux little terns,  ten of which went on the raft and the other 30 were spread around in fenced areas. 

A real-life little tern, caught by a trail cam nesting after their journey from Africa (Image: Cumbria Wildlife Trust)

Little terns are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and are classified in the UK as Amber under the Birds of Conservation Concern 5 list. 

The birds visit Europe in the spring and summer, leaving in August to spend the winter in Africa.