31 July, 2026
Record number of chicks ringed at Forvie
A record number of chicks have been ringed at Forvie National Nature Reserve (NNR) this year following a promising breeding season for terns at the popular coastal site.
NatureScot staff and the Grampian Ringing Group have ringed a total of 1,264 chicks this summer, including more than 1,000 Sandwich terns, over 100 Arctic terns and smaller numbers of common terns and black-headed gulls.
The reserve holds half of Scotland’s breeding Sandwich terns and 20% of Scotland's breeding black-headed gulls. All of these species are declining overall, with Arctic tern being on the red list for birds of conservation concern.
Each year, staff and volunteers erect a special enclosure on the south of the reserve to help protect the nests of terns, gulls and eiders from disturbance. Efforts with fencing and monitoring appear to have paid off this year.
NatureScot reserve manager Catriona Reid said: “The birds have had a really good breeding season, with high chick productivity, which is great to see.
“Ringing these birds will help us keep track of their movements and survival – which is increasingly important as seabirds face all sorts of challenges, from marine pollution to climate change.
“We’re extremely grateful to the volunteers from the Grampian Ringing Group for all their hard work.
“As a special place for wildlife, much of which rates as nationally or even internationally important, our thanks also go to all the visitors who respect the closure of south Forvie during the breeding season, minimising disturbance and allowing the birds the best possible chance of success.”
NatureScot manages 29 NNRs, covering 41,300 hectares or 0.54% of Scotland’s land. These are special places where everyone can enjoy the very best of Scotland’s nature. They help protect an amazing range of wildlife and landscapes, including many rare species and habitats of international importance.
Supporting species recovery is a key part of NatureScot’s ambitious plan for nature recovery in Scotland over the next four years and work on our NNRs is leading the way, making a direct and significant contribution to the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy’s ambitious target to halt biodiversity loss and restore nature by 2045.
Find out more about Forvie National Nature Reserve.
ENDS
Contact information
- Name
- NatureScot Media
- Telephone
- 0131 316 2655
- media@nature.scot
NatureScot is Scotland's nature agency. Responding to the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change, we work to protect and restore nature by inspiring everyone to value our natural world. Our goal is a nature-rich, net-zero future for Scotland. For more information, visit our website at www.nature.scot
'S e buidheann nàdair na h-Alba a th’ ann an NàdarAlba. Bidh sinn a’ gleidheadh agus a’ slànachadh nàdar le bhith a’ brosnachadh a h-uile duine gu spèis a chur air an t-saoghal nàdarra againn, agus sinn a’ freagairt air an dà chùis-èiginn de chall bith-iomadachd ’s atharrachadh na gnàth-shìde. ’S e ar n-amas nàdar beairteach ’s cothromachadh carboin do dh’Alba. Airson an tuilleadh fiosrachaidh, thoiribh sùil air an làraich-lìn againn aig www.nature.scot
