Wildlife guide

The coast provides a great place for unique and interesting habitats and wildlife. From Magnesian limestone grasslands and coastal denes to sand dunes and rocky shores providing an environment for rare flowers, butterflies and birds.

The Little Tern

This delightful chattering seabird is the UK’s smallest tern. It arrives from West Africa in May to next on the sands at Crimdon.   It is noisy at its breeding colony where courtship starts with an aerial display involving the male calling and carrying a fish to attract a mate which chases him up high before he descends, gliding with wings in a ‘V’. Its vulnerable nesting sites and its decline in Europe make it an Amber List species. The Little Terns at Crimdon are carefully protected by Wardens who patrol the site throughout the breeding season (May to September). The Wardens often talk to visitors about the progress of the Terns and inform the public about keeping dogs under control and the best place to walk without disturbing these beautiful birds.

Please download our wildlife guide (PDF), which shows some examples of what can be seen on a visit to the coast.