PUPILS have learned first-hand the important work going on to protect a UK bird colony.

Prestatyn High School pupils visited the site of the Gronant Dune Little Terns breeding colony to learn about the significance of the area for supporting the species population numbers.

Located on the shingle of Gronant Dunes, the area is known internationally, as it contributes to more than 10 per cent of the entire UK breeding population as well as supplementing other Little Tern colonies.

Gronant and Point of Ayr are the only breeding colonies in Wales.

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The little terns arrived at the site in May from the west coast of Africa and will breed and head back south at the end of the summer with newly fledged chicks.

Last year, 155 fledglings were recorded at the site.

For nearly two decades, Denbighshire Countryside Service has managed the colony (together with its satellite colony at Point of Ayr), with the help of North Wales Little Tern Group, operating a warden service on site to monitor the colony and welcome public at the visitors centre.

North Denbighshire coastal ranger Claudia Smith said: “Our team of wardens have been working hard to protect the birds on the site and collect information about how the colony is doing.

“We have also been busy helping people visiting our visitors centre learn all about the colony and it has been fantastic to welcome Prestatyn High pupils to the site.”

The pupils were given the chance to view the colony from the visitors centre with the wardens who chatted to them about the background of the site. 

Claudia added: “It is a great opportunity to teach the youngsters about the importance of the site and also encourage them to learn more about what they can do themselves to support local biodiversity around where they live.

“This site is vital for supporting the little terns population and by helping these youngsters and others coming here understand why we are here, working to look after these birds will help future support for the colony.”

A 3.5km perimeter fence and 3km electric fence covers the beach area to protect the birds from ground predation.

These will be taken down at the end of the season to ensure a no-trace policy on the area which is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

Cllr Barry Mellor, lead member for environment and transport, said: “For nearly two decades, Countryside teams alongside volunteers have worked extremely hard to protect and support this site to make the colony a real area of significance for protecting the future populations of the little terns.

“The work they do to help visitors of all ages to this site is also immensely important to the future of this colony and they can all be proud of what they do to maintain this vital area on Gronant Dunes.”