Youngsters take keen interest in Terns

 

Waipu Department of Conservation warden Alice Fairs (pictured) along with several Fairy Tern Charitable Trust members, addressed the entire Mangawhai Beach School in relays, setting up an awesome display explaining the precarious world of the endangered Fairy Tern complete with predators such as stoats and feral cats.

The panel were bombarded with lots of questions and some interesting discussion ensued as pupils learned that, apart from predators in the wild, that playfull little puppy they have at home can also be harmful unless kept well away from these little birds.

Over the years a number of children from the school have taken the plight of the endangered Tern to the world through a variety of projects and, given the interest shown, and there will be no shortage guardians in the near future.

In a high point of the week a new chick was hatched so volunteers will be on tenterhooks guarding it’s early childhood safety and protection.