Tern population continuing ‘to soar’ in Ireland

There are five species of tern here, while Rockabill Island represent 80% of the roseate tern’s European numbers. It’s a conservation success story, says Dan MacCarthy

NATURE never fails to surprise, nay stagger. A colony of terns off Dalkey Island in Dublin doesn’t look massively adventurous as they sweep, starling-like, above the pier and over to the craggy outcrop off Dalkey Island known as Maiden Rock. But it is.

Neither does the magnificent Manx shearwater look docile — a frequent visitor to the area, in addition to the terns. But that bird, too, is hugely adventurous, says Niall Hatch, development officer with Birdwatch Ireland. The Manx shearwater is known to fly to the Bay of Biscay, and back, in a day in search of food.