Golspie High School and local golf club help protect Brora terns
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NESTING terns on the coast at Dalchalm north of Brora are being protected by RSPB Scotland in partnership with Highland Council, Brora Golf Club and Golspie High School, by the erection of signs and fences.
Alison Searl of RSPB Scotland has expressed delight at the way a Highland community has come together to protect one of Scotland’s most charismatic seabirds, the Arctic tern.
She said: “Arctic terns have nested at Dalchalm for many years. For the past decade RPSB Scotland and partners have worked to increase the likelihood that tern chicks will be successfully reared and fledged here.
“We have erected signs to warn walkers and dog owners that they are approaching nesting terns and have maintained a series of fences that are intended to help people to avoid walking into the tern colony.
“This year we were grateful to be joined in our efforts by 4th and 5th year students taking the Rural Skills Course at Golspie High in collaboration with the Forestry Commission Scotland. The pupils braved driving sleet to help with erecting signs and mending and extending the fences.
“We hope that these measures will guide people away from the top of the beach and encourage dog owners to keep their pets under close control while they are enjoying the beach at Dalchalm.”
Arctic terns are amazing travellers. They winter in the Antarctic and return to northern Scotland in late April/early May to nest on sandy or shingle shores. They can be identified by their small size, forked tails and dainty flight. They are mainly white with some grey and have a black cap and blood red beak and legs.
Terns are ground nesting birds but this makes their eggs and chicks easy prey for other birds and animals while their nests can be swept away by high tides. Unintentional disturbance by people and dogs can lead to nests being abandoned with the loss of eggs and chicks.
