The annual arrival of Arctic, little and common terns has started at the Point of Ayre.

These birds make an annual round trip from the Southern Ocean to nest and breed on the northern beaches of the Isle of Man.

They nest in shallow hollows in the beach stones and their eggs can easily be mistaken for stones so they are particularly vulnerable to being stood on by people or dogs. The areas in which they nest are being roped off. There are two areas at the Point of Ayre and two at Smeale that have already been roped off. More could be when more birds arrive.

Any dog walkers in these areas shuold keep their dogs on leads and under control at all times. It is an offence under the Wildlife Act 1990 to disturb these birds and their nests.

Outside the roped off areas there are many other ground nesting birds such as lapwing, oystercatchers and ringed plover which are also vulnerable.

Anyone seeing the birds being disturbed should contact the Ayres warden or wildlife crime officers Constable Mark Kerruish and Constable John Hills at Ramsey police station on 812234.