AN URGENT fundraising appeal has been launched to protect chicks on Chesil Beach.

The famous shingle bank is home to a rare colony of little terns – one of the most threatened seabirds in the UK.

The appeal to support the Little Tern Recovery Project has been triggered due to a shortfall in grant funding.

The project, which has been running for ten years, is a partnership between RSPB, the Crown Estate, Chesil Beach & the Fleet Nature Reserve, Portland Court Leet, Natural England, and Dorset Wildlife Trust. The Chesil Beach colony is the only one in the south west.

Each year from April-August the project protects Chesil Beach’s little tern colony from predators and disturbance, to give the chicks the best chance of survival.

The project costs £17,500 to run every year which is normally funded by grants – but this year only £4,000 has been secured. This is due to increasing demand for grants.

Funding helps the installation of a 'predator fence' around the colony as well as 24-hour warden patrols protect the birds from disturbance, a project officer and equipment for volunteers.

Kevin Rylands, RSPB Conservation Officer, said: “Every April these tiny birds beat tremendous odds by travelling thousands of miles from West Africa to a small strip of Chesil Beach to raise their family. With any luck, each adult pair will hatch two of the fluffiest and cutest chicks you’re likely to see."

He added: "They have disappeared from our coastline at an alarming rate and need our help. Rising sea levels, food shortages, predators, extreme weather conditions, and disturbance to their ground nesting from people, are all factors in their decline. It’s vital that we continue to protect them and give this summer’s chicks the best chance of survival."

Hannah Thomas, Senior Fundraising Officer, said: “We have managed to secure £4,000 for this year’s Little Tern Recovery Project, which costs £17,500 in total. But we desperately need your help to raise the remaining £13,500. We have launched a Just Giving appeal to ask for your help – sharing the appeal with your friends and family will help us raise the amount needed to protect these beautiful birds during their vulnerable breeding season.’’

The RSPB has launched #LittleTernAppeal to raise the urgently needed funds to protect this year’s chicks. To view the appeal and donate visit http://bit.ly/2RRCjsE