Effects of the construction of Scroby Sands offshore wind farm on the prey base of Little tern Sternula albifrons at its most important UK colony

► First evidence of indirect effect of wind farm construction on a seabird via its prey. ► Noise generated by pile driving thought responsible for the decline in young herring. ► Concomitant significant reduction in foraging success of Little terns. ► Circumstantial evidence of population response with unprecedented egg abandonment. ► Call for caution in relation to pile-driving and longer-term monitoring of effects.