Experts celebrate as endangered seabird makes unexpected return in record numbers: 'Incredible'
Spring brought with it a new, tiny miracle: the return of the little tern to Australian beaches — in record numbers, according to the Miami Herald.
These little seabirds travel hundreds to thousands of miles across the vast ocean. With a mature length of only 21 to 25 cm and a wingspan of 41 to 47 cm, their journey is a fantastic feat.
Thanks to the time and dedication of volunteers, park staff, and others, nests were spotted at 24 sites. Those sites suggest at least 485 breeding pairs of little terns, a spike from last season's number of approximately 430.
"This incredible number of breeding pairs resulted in an estimated 510 fledglings, making it the highest count of fledglings recorded and a substantial jump from last year's figure of around 370," officials stated.
Little Terns typically lay clutches of one to three eggs. Each egg averages about an inch long and weighs less than 10 grams. Not only that, but the tiny eggs are also highly camouflaged on sandy beaches. Their size and color make them precarious — easily crushed or disturbed by people, pets, or vehicles.
Their comeback is a sign that conservation efforts are working. Protecting the little tern's fragile nesting grounds isn't just about saving one species; it's about restoring balance to coastal ecosystems that support fish, filter water, and even protect shorelines from erosion.
Local volunteers, wildlife officers, and bird watchers are the real heroes here. This kind of grassroots stewardship doesn't just help birds — it brings people together with a shared purpose, strengthening community bonds and inspiring collective action.
"To see an increase in numbers of a threatened species for two consecutive years is an incredible achievement, and it's not possible without a cast of hundreds to lend their time to this important cause," Deputy Secretary of NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Trish Harrup said.
Healthy seabird populations like the little tern are indicators of a thriving environment. When birds return in greater numbers, it signals that their food sources — such as small fish and marine invertebrates — are plentiful and that the habitat is stable. That means cleaner coastlines and healthier oceans for everyone.
Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty?
Definitely
Only in some areas
No way
I'm not sure
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Insider
4 days ago
- Business Insider
Don't know how to order oysters? A seafood chef shares tips to help you avoid rookie mistakes
For the uninitiated, oysters can be intimidating. There are different sizes, varieties, and toppings. Should you go with Blue Point or Kumamoto? Should you add mignonette or cocktail sauce? To answer all your burning questions and help you look like an expert at a seafood restaurant, we asked Aidan Owens to share his tips. The Australian chef is the culinary director for Herb & Wood in San Diego and Herb & Sea in Encinitas, California, where he exclusively cooks with seafood from independent local fishermen. Owens even has an oyster shell recycling program to help a local lagoon conservation foundation. Now, without further ado, here's Oysters 101. East Coast vs. West Coast It's common to see oysters identified as "East Coast" or "West Coast" on restaurant menus. This identifies whether the oysters come from the Atlantic Ocean or the Pacific Ocean, which infuses them with different flavors. "East Coast oysters — like Blue Points or Wellfleets — are briny, salty, and lean," Owens told Business Insider. "West Coast oysters — like Kumamotos or Shigokus — are smaller, creamier, and sometimes a little sweet." If you like your oysters mild, opt for those from colder waters. Owens explained that they grow more slowly and have a softer flavor. "Brinier oysters usually come from warmer, saltier waters," he added. "They taste like the ocean." Large vs. small Don't just choose bigger oysters for the extra meat. They have a different taste from oysters of the smaller variety. "Bigger oysters are brinier, meatier, and built for the grill," Owens said. "Smaller oysters are delicate and silky, perfect with just a squeeze of lemon." If it's your first time with oysters, Owens suggests starting small. "I usually recommend Kusshis or Kumamotos," he said. "They're delicate, sweet, and super approachable for first-timers." Don't forget the toppings When it comes to raw oysters, Owens prefers to keep the toppings minimal. "A splash of lemon, a classic mignonette, or maybe a fermented hot sauce," he said. However, don't be afraid to pack a punch if you're grilling the oysters. "Go bold with garlic butter, smoky bacon, or even a little kimchi butter," Owens added. Stay safe with a smell test The rule that you should only eat oysters during the months that end with "R" is an outdated myth that "comes from a time before refrigeration," Owens said. "Back then, warmer months made oysters riskier to eat," he added. "Thanks to modern refrigeration and farming practices, oysters are safe and delicious year-round." All you need is a quick smell test to ensure your oyster is fresh. "A good oyster smells like clean ocean air," Owens said. "If it smells like a bait bucket left in the sun, walk away."
The Hill
5 days ago
- The Hill
Famous shipwreck confirmed to be in Rhode Island waters
NEWPORT, R.I. (WPRI) — Australian researchers have issued a final report on a decades-long search for a famous shipwreck believed to be off the coast of Rhode Island. Researchers confirmed the final resting place of 18th-century British explorer Captain James Cook's lost ship is in Newport Harbor. 'For some, the Pacific voyage led by James Cook between 1768 and 1771 embodies the spirit of Europe's Age of Enlightenment, while for others it symbolises the onset of colonisation and the subjugation of First Nations Peoples,' the executive summary of the report said. Originally called the 'HMS Endeavor,' the vessel was later renamed 'Lord Sandwich' and used as a troop transport and prison ship before it was deliberately sunk in 1778. The approximate location of the wreck is just north of Goat Island and east of Rose Island, near Newport, Rhode Island, according to the report. The Australian National Maritime Museum said it's working with the Rhode Island Historic Preservation and Heritage Commission to protect the site.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Captain Cook's Endeavour confirmed to be in Rhode Island waters
Researchers have confirmed that the 18th-century British explorer Captain James Cook's lost ship found its final resting place in Rhode Island's Newport Harbor, solving a decadeslong mystery, according to the Australian National Maritime Museum. Two Australian historians, Mike Connell and Des Liddy, originally pinpointed the location of the ship, called HMS Endeavour in 1998, the museum said in a report released earlier this month. The museum's report detailed how a 26-year archival and archaeological research program ultimately determined that the Endeavour was, in fact, at the bottom of Newport Harbor as Connell and Liddy had thought. Captain Cook famously sailed the Endeavour across the Pacific Ocean multiple times in the mid-1700s. He is remembered for his voyage to Tahiti, New Zealand and Australia, which he claimed for Britain, as well as Hawaii, where he ultimately met his fate in a dispute with indigenous residents. Cook's exploration of the islands laid the foundation for British colonization in those areas, which is why, for different reasons, it's an important part of Australian history, according to the museum's report. "For some, the Pacific voyage led by James Cook between 1768 and 1771 embodies the spirit of Europe's Age of Enlightenment," the executive summary of the report reads, "while for others it symbolises the onset of colonisation and the subjugation of First Nations Peoples." After Cook's death, the Endeavour returned to England, which went on to use it for transporting British troops and detaining prisoners during the American Revolutionary War. It was sold to private owners, who renamed the ship Lord Sandwich, and deliberately sunk in Newport Harbor in the midst of war in 1778. When Australian maritime experts initially announced in 2022 that they believed the Endeavour was among a number of ancient shipwrecks still scattered across Newport Harbor, the claim was widely debated. But a partnership between the Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission and the Australian National Maritime Museum forged ahead with the research that eventually led to the wreck's identification. They are working to ensure that the wreck site is protected from now on. "Given Endeavour's historical and cultural significance to Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, England, the United States of America and First Nations peoples throughout the Pacific Ocean, positive identification of its shipwreck site requires securing the highest possible level of legislative and physical protection," the report says. American stranded in Israel with her family speaks out amid airstrike exchanges with Iran May retail sales drop more than expected Everything we know about Israel, Iran and where Trump stands on the conflict
