Information on the Mediterranean breeding population of Lesser Crested Tern Sterna bengalensis has increased steadily during the last five years, as a result of the initiation of a regular monitoring and ringing program at the breeding sites of the Libyan coast. This program is supported and coordinated by Environment General Authority (Libya) and the Regional Action Center for Specially Protected Areas (UNEP-MAP-RAC/SPA) with additional support by Istituto Superiore per la Protezione et la Ricerca Ambientale (Italy), Conservatoire du Littoral (France), BirdLife Malta, Station biologique de la Tour du Valat (France), Zueitina Oil Company (Libya) and Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage (France).
As a priority species of the Mediterranean Seabirds Action Plan and the Mediterranean Small Island Initiative (PIM), the update of information will be compiled in the form of a species monograph, presenting known and updated information on the species at both breeding and stop-over sites, through data obtained by regular breeding sites monitoring, sightings along the north-western African migration route, and other sightings at wintering areas in West Africa. The monograph will include basic information on the ecology and biology of the species (nest shape, nesting habitat description, feeding behaviour and diet information, etc.), in addition to the assessment of the population trends and conservation status. It emphasizes on proposed conservation actions required to maintain the population size in the Mediterranean through further studying and protecting breeding and stop-over sites against various anthropogenic and natural threats this concentrated population is facing at the short and long term.
