A specialist raft which was designed to act as a maternity ward for common and Arctic terns is proving to be a big success this breeding season as over 112 chicks have now hatched and some pairs are still incubating eggs at the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s (SWT) local wildlife reserve and visitor centre, Montrose Basin.
These birds are visible through high powered telescopes from the visitor centre’s observation window.
Caroline Hendry, SWT’s Montrose Basin Visitor Centre Manager said: “Thanks to a generous donation of £10,000 from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and support from Scottish Natural Heritage, our tern raft was installed on the basin last June in a bid to encourage rare common and Arctic terns to breed on our protected reserve rather than choosing the gravel areas within GSK’s pharmaceutical production site at Montrose.
“Last year we had 16 common terns breeding on the raft. They produced 36 chicks, of which 23 successfully fledged the nest. This was encouraging considering work to install the raft was not completed until 5 June – well into the tern nesting season. This year, however, our raft has really become a big hit with the terns
“As the raft is positioned opposite the centre at Rossie Brae, visitors can watch the progress of the birds from the viewing gallery with expert staff available to help identify species and answer questions.”
GSK manufacture active ingredients for pharmaceuticals on a site on the north side of the River South Esk estuary. Dave Tudor, Site Director, said: “Our site has been a favourite nesting ground for terns for many years now. We have always left them to raise their young once a nest had been established, but their presence can sometimes cause problems, particularly if staff members get too close to their nesting territories. Occasionally the birds can get over-zealous when protecting their nests and young and have been known to dive bomb staff.”
“We were pleased to provide support for the tern raft project to provide some of the birds with a more secure and settled home. It is amazing to see that the results have been so successful for local wildlife.”
Area Officer for SNH, Karen Phillip said: “Common and Arctic terns are a species of conservation concern threatened by breeding failure as a result of fish shortages, predation and disturbance. This tern raft at Montrose Basin was the result of the combined efforts of a partnership which includes representatives from SWT, Angus Council, RSPB, SNH and GlaxoSmithKline and it is one step forward towards providing a safe nesting site in an area which was already an important feeding area for them.
“The group continue to work together to conserve and enhance tern populations across Tayside under the Tayside Local Biodiversity Action Plan.”
The action from the tern raft can be viewed by visiting SWT’s Montrose Basin Visitor Centre, open 10.30am until 5pm until mid-November, and from then until 4.00pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only.
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NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. Caroline Hendry is available for interview on request on 01674 676336.
2. The attached image is available free in conjunction with this press release and must be credited to “Scottish Wildlife Trust”.
3. Montrose is home to three main species of terns: Arctic, common and little tern. All three flock to Montrose to feed on small fish found in abundance in the rich waters around Montrose Basin.
4. Montrose Basin was designated as a Local Nature Reserve in 1981 and the reserve is managed in partnership by SWT, Angus Council, Scottish Natural Heritage, The National Trust for Scotland, the British Association of Shooting and Conservation and local landowners
5. Montrose Basin Visitor Centre is open daily, 15 March – 15 November from 10.30 am – 5.00 pm and from 16 November to 14 March (Friday – Sunday only), 10.30 am – 4.00 pm.
6. The Tayside Tern Working Group, derived from the Coast and Estuaries sub-group of the Tayside LBAP ,are working together to conserve and enhance tern populations in the area. This group consists of representatives from SWT, Angus Council, RSPB, SNH, and GlaxoSmithKline.
7. SWT is the largest voluntary body working for all the wildlife of Scotland, representing more than 34,000 members who care for wildlife and the environment. SWT seeks to raise public awareness of threatened habitats and species and manages more than 120 reserves Scotland-wide.
8. SWT receives financial assistance and support from Scottish Natural Heritage.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Caroline Hendry, Visitor Centre Manager SWT
Tel: 01674 676336