Background Listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive, the roseate tern (Sterna dougallii) is classed as ‘Rare in Europe’ by BirdLife International and is a Species of European Conservation Concern. It breeds in just two areas of Europe, namely the Azores and the far northwest. The northwest metapopulation is spread across a small number of sites in France, Ireland and the UK; the French sites have recently been targeted by a LIFE project (LIFE05 NAT/F/137), and this new project was designed to build on the previous one. In the UK, the roseate tern has been in decline since a high point in the 1960s. The cause of this decline is not fully understood, but contributing factors are thought to include predation and disturbance at breeding colonies, loss of nesting sites, emigration to Ireland, and trapping and/or fishing on the wintering grounds in West Africa. Five UK SPAs host roseate tern, but only one of these, Coquet Island, currently supports an established population. In Ireland, three SPAs host roseate tern: two as breeding sites (Rockabill and Lady’s Island Lake) and one mainly as a post-breeding site (Dalkey Islands). Rockabill is the principal site in the northwest Europe metapopulation, holding 79% of this metapopulation in 2014. The safeguarding of these sites is therefore of critical importance. Objectives The overall goal of the LIFE14 Roseate Tern project is to improve the conservation prospects of roseate tern (Sterna dougallii) in the UK and Ireland. This aim will contribute to a long term goal of improving the conservation status of roseate tern across Europe. Specific objectives are to: Increase the population of roseate tern in the UK and Ireland by enhancing habitat management and reducing threats at the three principal colonies; Provide the conditions needed for a re-expansion of roseate tern in the UK and Ireland through enhanced management and restoration of the other SPAs for this species; Identify long-term options for the management and establishment of tern colonies across northwest Europe, in view of predicted changes to the climate and coastlines; Improve understanding of key issues affecting roseate terns in northwest Europe and in wintering areas in West Africa; Develop and disseminate guidance and plans for the management of roseate tern breeding sites; and Develop the first ever conservation strategy covering the whole northwest European metapopulation of roseate tern. Expected results: The UK breeding population of roseate tern increased from 73 breeding pairs in 2013 to at least 100 pairs. The Irish breeding population increased from 1 413 pairs in 2014 to 1 710 pairs by end of project; Habitat for roseate terns enhanced and threats from disturbance and predation reduced at the three main existing colonies; Habitat for roseate terns created or restored, and threats from habitat change, predation and disturbance reduced, in all five other UK and Irish roseate tern SPAs; A report produced summarising long-term opportunities for tern colony management and/or creation in northwest Europe; A demographic study completed clarifying the relative importance of factors operating at breeding and non-breeding grounds and the relationships between colonies in France, Ireland and the UK; Improved understanding of the ecology of prey species, such as sand eels, and of the methods to increase their availability; Improved understanding of the importance of potentially damaging impacts in West Africa, and a plan created to address these impacts if necessary; A best practice manual for the management of roseate tern breeding sites; Action plans for the conservation of roseate tern in the UK and Ireland; Updated management plans for all eight roseate tern SPAs in the UK and Ireland; The first long-term conservation strategy covering the whole NW Europe metapopulation; and Significant benefits for a range of other seabird species, especially sandwich terns (Sterna sandvicensis), arctic terns (S. paradisaea) and common terns (S. hirundo) (These are themselves designated features in several of the eight focal SPAs).