Roseate terns are flourishing in Northumberland

Experts say 70 pairs of roseate terns nested on the Coquet Island nature reserve during the summer.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) says at least 80 chicks were hatched - effectively reversing the fortunes of the birds in the north-east of England.

Coquet Island, which is 14 acres in size, is situated one mile off the Northumberland coast.

In 2002, 57 pairs of roseate terns nested there and raised 56 chicks. The population was its lowest point in 1977 with just 16 pairs.

But RSPB Coquet Island warden, Paul Morrison, said the island's breeding population on the island had more than doubled in the last five years.

Coquet now has the largest breeding colony of roseate terns in the UK and it is believed that the entire English population nested there this year.

Mr Morrison said the combination of good weather and the use by the terns of special nest boxes have been the crucial factors behind the successful year.

Coquet island is one of the RSPB's smallest nature reserves

He said: "We are delighted that these rare and endangered birds have done so well at Coquet Island this year.

"It is a fantastic sight to see so many of these attractive seabirds nesting on the Island.

"The roseate terns have certainly benefited from the good summer weather, but it is also an indication that the management work that we carry out on Coquet is working."

The RSPB reserve is important for other species of seabirds and thousands nest on the Island every year.

Numbers of fulmars and kittiwakes nesting on the Island has reached a new high.

But numbers of other nesting terns are slightly down on last year - there were 923 pairs of common terns, 765 pairs of Arctic terns, and 1,238 pairs of Sandwich terns in 2003.