BirdWatch hails breakthrough in Dublin Port tern project

BirdWatch Ireland has reported a record year for its tern conservation project at Dublin Port, with more than 60 birds ringed in a single session, including Common and Arctic Terns as well as several wader species.

The project, funded by Dublin Port Company, monitors the breeding colony of terns within the harbour. It is the third largest in the Republic and provides crucial data on two species that are Amber-listed in Ireland, meaning they are of medium conservation concern.

Over the summer, conservationists focused on ringing chicks before they fledged, but as the season drew to a close attention shifted to adults. Using mist nets near evening roost sites, the team succeeded in capturing an unprecedented number of birds in one night, including Oystercatchers, Redshanks, Turnstones and a Black-tailed Godwit.

Among the highlights was the recapture of a Common Tern ringed in Senegal earlier this year during its northward migration. Another was the sighting of a Common Tern first ringed in 2010, now 15 years old and well beyond the average lifespan of 10 years for the species. Three Turnstones were also colour-ringed as part of a new study, while a resighted Oystercatcher added to knowledge of site fidelity and migration patterns.

Arctic Terns, which nest in Dublin Port each summer, are renowned for their extraordinary migration, travelling from breeding sites in the northern hemisphere to feeding grounds as far south as Antarctica. Common Terns also undertake long-distance journeys, wintering along the coast of West Africa.

BirdWatch Ireland said the results provide an important opportunity to learn more about the birds’ survival rates, breeding habits and migration routes in the years ahead. With the terns now beginning their journey south, attention will soon turn to the waders that migrate to Ireland to overwinter.