A new survey has revealed that the number of seabirds in Scilly is falling.
The survey called Seabird 2000 found that although numbers have risen over the last 3 decades the South West’s numbers are dwindling. One of the most shocking results is the tern population which numbers are falling somewhere between 10 and 30 per cent. The roseate terns are said to be particularly worrying.
On Scilly conservationists have already been tackling the falling numbers of Roseate Terns by creating special breeding areas on Samson.
Dr Norman Ratcliff, a senior RSPB research biologist says that “The presence of eight million sea birds provides living proof of the richness of the seas around our islands, but these birds are also sensitive living barometers and the declines of some species are highly worrying.”
Picture: Chris Hawes