Nature features

Little terns are migratory seabirds that nest on shingle beaches in Suffolk between April and July each year. Sometimes called sea swallows due to their buoyant, effortless flight, these birds have become increasingly rare as disturbance, mainly by walkers, dogs and predators has threatened their breeding sites.

However a recent survey by English Nature found that all Suffolk's shingle beach SSSIs (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) were in unsatisfactory condition, mainly due to trampling by beach visitors.

The plants are specially adapted to the harsh conditions found on our beaches but are often low-growing, making them very vulnerable to being walked on.

Malcolm Farrow, Communications Officer with the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Unit said:

"At this time of year flowering shingle plants are one of the most amazing and spectacular sights to be seen on our coast but they are very easily damaged. Please help us to protect these rare and vulnerable plants by avoiding walking near them.

Sea campion

"Please also keep a look out for little terns and other shingle nesting birds. Little terns
usually nest in small groups and are quite noisy so they should be easy to spot.

"But other shingle-nesting birds such as ringed plover can be much harder to see, so please be careful, keep any dogs under close control and avoid any areas that have been fenced off to protect shingle wildlife."

Plants that depend on shingle in Suffolk include sea kale, sea pea, yellow horned poppy, sea campion, sea holly and sea spurge. Birds that nest on shingle include little tern, ringed plover and oystercatcher.