博客

Concerns are mounting over the future of little terns at a vital nesting site in the UK, with fears that unleashed dogs are significantly contributing to a decline in their population. The Tees Valley Wildlife Trust has issued a stark warning following observations of a substantial 50% decrease in these delicate seabirds at Seaton Carew, a beach near Hartlepool. This location has served as a crucial breeding ground for little terns annually since 2019, but current numbers fall well below expectations.

The primary issue stems from members of the public permitting their dogs to enter designated exclusion zones, areas specifically established to safeguard these vulnerable birds. Volunteer wardens documented an alarming 427 instances of dogs inside these protected zones during May alone, with a further 93 violations recorded on a single day in June. These repeated disturbances are causing considerable alarm among conservation experts.

Derek Wood, the little tern warden for the Tees Valley Wildlife Trust, voiced profound apprehension. He expressed fears that any additional stress on the birds could lead them to abandon their nests entirely and ultimately deter them from returning to this important area in subsequent years. Currently, only 55 nesting pairs have been observed on the beach, a stark contrast to the 110 pairs volunteers had anticipated. Mr. Wood emphasised that despite clear markings, the exclusion zone is evidently failing to operate effectively.

The birds have already faced considerable adversity this year. Upon their initial arrival, the protective fencing surrounding their customary nesting area was swept away by high tides, causing an early disturbance. Although this barrier has since been restored and the outer dog exclusion zone reinforced, the birds arrived already somewhat unsettled. Even brief encounters with dogs can prompt adult birds to desert their nests, rendering their eggs and young chicks highly susceptible to predators or adverse weather conditions.

Little terns, the smallest members of the tern family in the UK, undertake an extraordinary migration of thousands of miles from West Africa to nest on British beaches before departing again in mid-to-late August. Their dwindling numbers have led to their classification in the ‘amber’ category on the UK list of conservation concern, signifying a species whose population is at risk. The Trust is strongly urging visitors to respect the exclusion zones and maintain control over their dogs, particularly throughout this critical breeding season, to ensure these sensitive birds have a secure environment to raise their young.

1. What is the main purpose of the article?

• A.To explain the migratory patterns of little terns.
• B.To highlight the threat posed by dogs to little terns at a nesting site.
• C.To describe the work of the Tees Valley Wildlife Trust.
• D.To discuss the challenges of maintaining beach exclusion zones.

2. According to the article, how many nesting pairs of little terns were expected at Seaton Carew this year?

• A.427
• B.55
• C.110
• D.93

3. What can be inferred about the effectiveness of the current exclusion zones for dogs?

• A.They are not preventing dogs from disturbing the birds.
• B.They are largely successful despite occasional violations.
• C.They are respected by most visitors to the beach.
• D.They only became ineffective after the tidal damage.

4. What is Derek Wood’s primary concern regarding the little terns?

• A.That high tides will continue to destroy protective fencing.
• B.That volunteers are not monitoring the exclusion zones closely enough.
• C.That predators are the biggest threat to the eggs and chicks.
• D.That persistent disturbance will cause the birds to abandon the site permanently.

5. In the context of the article, what does ‘render’ mean in the sentence: ‘rendering their eggs and young chicks highly susceptible to predators’?

• A.To illustrate or draw.
• B.To make or cause to be.
• C.To provide or deliver.
• D.To return or give back.