Little Terns are a small, quick, nervous and sadly rare UK bird. They nest in scattered coastal colonies, preferring shingle or sandy beaches where nests consist of a shallow scoop. Little Terns typically lay 2-3 eggs and brood once between May and June, often nesting right at the edge of the sea and therefore risk losing eggs and chicks to high tides.
Every season at Long Nanny in Northumberland (between Beadnell and Low Newton), National Trust Rangers live on site adjacent to the colony, camping in the dunes and providing a 24 hour watch for the nesting birds - protecting them from predators and welcoming visitors to the site.