This is an adorable picture of an Arctic Tern feeding its young after successfully having raised chicks on Dalkey Island for the first time on record.
Also known as the Sea Swallow, the tern colony is split between three island: Maiden Rock, Lamb Island, and Dalkey Island, which is by far the largest of the three islands.
The success has been attributed to the collaboration between the Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Parks Department and BirdWatch Ireland (BWI) which lead to the reduction of rat numbers on the island and the increase in public awareness about these wonderful birds.
Dalkey Islands (including Dalkey Island, Lamb Island and Maiden Rock) are designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA) for roosting tern species (Common Tern, Arctic Tern and Roseate Tern).
In July, there were 14 chicks (all Arctic Terns), and 16 nests with eggs. The chicks are now getting big enough that it has been possible to ring them.
Arctic Terns breed in Ireland during the Summer months and then return to the Southern Ocean off Antarctica during winter time.
A spokeswoman for Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said: “We would like to especially thank the public for their cooperation in adhering to our Code of Conduct for Visitors for Dalkey Island and for keeping a good distance away from the nests and not disturbing them.
“Both Lamb Island and Maiden Rock are restricted from access to members of the public during the breeding season to protect ground nesting birds.
“We also ask that on Dalkey Island, visitors are mindful of breeding birds, keep all dogs on leads and to not get close to the colonies.
“It has been through this collaborative effort that we have assisted these protected birds to raise their young on Dalkey Island.”
