VOLUNTEERS rushed to the rescue of a colony of rare birds after a storm caused destruction.

Following Storm Hector and a high tide earlier this month, 120 of the 174 nests were lost at the little tern colony on Gronant beach, near Prestatyn, which is managed by Denbighshire County Council.

More than 20 volunteers, member of the North Wales Little Tern Group and staff from Denbighshire Countryside Service helped clean up the site, rescue eggs and repair damage caused to fences.

Efforts made by volunteers have been labelled “heroic”.

Henry Cook, the EU Life+ Little Tern/people engagement officer, a member of the group who is based at Gronant, said: “Losing so many nests was hard to watch for myself and the volunteers but we were out there moving many higher up the beach to safety which have gone on to hatch chicks.

“Two-thirds of the nests were lost due to storm Hector and the storm surge that combined with onshore winds and spring tides.

“The damage to the fencing was extensive. They are used to keep out foxes and people.”

He continued: “Most of the fencing along the seaward side was either ripped out by the waves or filled with seaweed and plastic debris.We put a call out for volunteers to come down and thankfully, they did.

“Volunteers helped the wardens to put the fencing back up and knock in some posts that the sea had completely removed from the beach and clear fencing of copious amounts of debris and litter. Seeing the chicks that we have saved makes it all worthwhile.”

“We collectively put in thousands of hours over the summer doing many things to improve their chances of success.”

Christine Maresma Pares, secretary for the North Wales Little Tern Group, said: “I was devastated by the loss of so many nests, but I was also overwhelmed by the response to our request for help – some folk were even prepared to travel from Llanidloes, Powys, to do so.”

Cllr Tony Thomas, Denbighshire’s lead member for housing, regulation and the environment, thanked everyone who gave up their time to help.

“A total of 120 out of the 174 nests at the colony were lost but it is expected the birds will relay their eggs, ensuring a productive breeding season.” he said.

“The little tern colony is a fantastic place for nature lovers in the local area and is a real draw for visitors.”

“Protecting and enhancing the environment is a priority for the council under our corporate plan and our work at the little tern colony is one of many projects that helps us achieve this aim.”

Little terns come to the UK every year from West Africa to breed in Gronant, the only breeding colony in Wales, which contributes more than 10 per cent of the entire UK breeding population.

Christine added: “Our group started as a little acorn and wow! Now it’s becoming an oak tree.”

[Pictures: North Wales Little Tern Group]