Wardens welcome late arrival of Sandwich Terns to Coquet Island

The late arrival of 250 Sandwich Tern nests with healthy adults and chicks has been welcomed at a breeding colony off the Northumberland coast.

Thousands of seabirds have been wiped out after bird flu hit the population at Coquet Island last month. RSPB warden Paul Morrison said although the latecomers' arrival was a mystery, it did offer a "glimmer of hope".

The late-nesting terns have offered a 'glimmer of hope' (Chris Teague).

Mr Morrison added: "It's bittersweet as the population of Sandwich Terns here was virtually wiped out just weeks ago but this late influx has come from somewhere else and they've been clever in nesting away from the death area.

"They obviously think Coquet Island is a safe haven, and some of the tern chicks are still growing, and it could be another week before they're ready to go, as the adult terns have a biological time clock and they can just fly off."

It is thought the terns may have arrived from Europe, as the birds can travel huge distances in a day, and while some are ringed, wardens have not attempted to get a closer look.

"It's very late in the season and we are hoping their chicks are fully fledged before they leave," Mr Morrison said.