Wexford’s Lady’s Island Lake sets record for tern breeding

Lady’s Island Lake in Wexford has been confirmed as the only site in Europe where five tern species successfully nested in 2025.

The lake hosted Roseate, Common, Arctic, Sandwich, and Little Terns, marking a significant conservation achievement.

BirdWatch Ireland ran the project under contract from the National Parks and Wildlife Service, working closely with local staff throughout the breeding season.

The season began in March and faced early challenges, including the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a few Black-headed Gulls. Mortality among the terns was limited, and by late summer most chicks had fledged before the virus could spread widely.

Nest censuses revealed increases for Common, Roseate, and Sandwich Terns, while Arctic Tern numbers fell by 65.6 per cent for reasons that remain unclear. Little Terns nested successfully on a small sandy island, with at least nine pairs raising chicks despite human activity from kite surfers and dog walkers. Chicks were ringed to contribute to long-term monitoring across Ireland and Europe.

Predation had a limited effect, although some raids by large gulls and Peregrine Falcons were observed. Adult terns played an important role in protecting fledglings from larger gulls as chicks from other species left the colony.

BirdWatch Ireland and National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) credited the season’s success to long-term conservation work, the efforts of wardens and volunteers, and the support of the local community.

Managed in part by BirdWatch Ireland and the NPWS, the lake provides a mix of shallow waters, islands, and reed beds, creating ideal nesting and feeding habitats for terns and other waterbirds.