The hybrid chick born to an American black tern and an Arctic tern at the Long Nanny shorebird site on the Northumberland Coast has died, the National Trust has confirmed. Rangers observed the chick struggling to accept food from its parents, leading to its death, which they described as 'sad but not unexpected'.
Rare American Black Tern Returns Annually
The American black tern, nicknamed Nigella, was first spotted at Long Nanny near Beadnell Bay in the summer of 2020 and has returned every year since. It is believed to be the only adult record of its species in the UK. This year, it paired with an Arctic tern, and their chick hatched last month. However, the chick repeatedly rejected the larger sand eels brought by its parents, as American black terns are a marsh species whose chicks are adapted to eating insects and very small fish.
Rangers Confirm Chick's Death
Northumberland Coast lead ranger James Porteus said: 'We're naturally very disappointed to confirm that the chick hatched by Nigella, our returning American black tern, and her Arctic tern partner has sadly died. While this is not the outcome we had hoped for, it is not entirely unexpected.' He added that wildlife can be unpredictable and many young birds do not survive their first days or weeks.
Nesting Attempt Still Remarkable
Despite the loss, Porteus highlighted that Nigella's successful pairing and nesting attempt remains a remarkable event. She is thought to be the only known American black tern to return to the UK year after year, and this was her seventh consecutive breeding season at Long Nanny. Rangers will continue to monitor Nigella and the wider tern colony throughout the summer.
Conservation Efforts at Long Nanny
The Long Nanny site is a key breeding ground for terns, and the National Trust relies on dedicated staff and volunteers who work around the clock to protect these internationally important seabirds. The death of the hybrid chick, while disappointing, underscores the challenges faced by rare species in adapting to different environments.
