Our Local Area

Where we are.

Little Breeders in Kilcoole

Each year, in May, little terns arrive from the west coast of Africa to begin their breeding season on the shingle beach between Kilcoole and Newcastle in Co. Wicklow.  It is here that little tern wardens offer their time and services for three months of the year.  They give talks to school outings and answer the same questions hundreds of times!  It is a 24 hour committment regardless of the weather.  As soon as the terns have decided how much of the shore they are going to occupy a corden is placed around it and signs informing the public about this conservation project are posted.  An electric fence is erected inside the perimeter to deter predators, like rats and foxes.

Ireland's rarest breeding seabird, the little tern, with its chick.