A NEW colony of little terns at Caister has “exceeded all expectations,” according to the RSPB, with over 40 nests, 30 chicks hatched and one new born already taking tentative flights.

The RSPB are providing residents and visitors to Caister with a special chance to get up close to see the colony of little terns, one of the UK’s rarest seabirds.

The Norfolk coastline is a stronghold for breeding little terns, supporting at least one third of the national population, currently standing at just 1,900 breeding pairs each year.

With such low populations across the UK, the seabird is becoming a species of increasing national conservation concern.

Little terns can travel over 11,000 miles each year, flying from winter homes in South Africa in May each year to spend summer on a select few locations on the UK coast.

And with some birds living up to 14 years, the sea birds could have covered over 100,000 miles in that time.

Until last year, the largest breeding colony in the area could be found at North Denes, but this year the graceful birds have colonised a variety of locations along the Norfolk coast including Winterton and Caister.

To make a date with the little tern colony, look out for the RSPB’s branded fisherman’s tent on Caister sea-front every day from 9am–8pm until mid-August.

In addition to welcoming the public to their little tern Date With Nature at Caister, the RSPB are urging the public to help by reporting any sightings of nesting little terns on 01603 660066.