BEDFONT LAKES COUNTRY PARK

(Registered Charity Number 1118958)

Friends Secure Funding For New Tern Raft

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The Friends Group have been successful in their application for funding for a new raft for breeding terns at Bedfont Lakes. The funding has been provided by the Thames Community Foundation and this is an important project for our community.

Bedfont Lakes has had a growing population of breeding Common Terns for the last 9 years. During this period, tern rafts have been built at zero cost from recycled materials. However, the largest raft now needs replacing. Securing this funding means that the rangers can purchase a new, professional, purpose-built tern raft. The surface area of the new raft will be larger than the previous raft which will enable it to support a greater population of Common Terns and, therefore, increase the potential for more pairs to nest and more chicks to be raised.

These silvery-grey and white birds have long tails which have earned them the nickname 'sea-swallow'. They have a buoyant, graceful flight and frequently hover over water before plunging down for a fish. They are often noisy in company and breed in colonies.

Bedfont Lakes Is Important

Bedfont Lakes is a centre of excellence for conservation and has one of the largest Common Tern breeding populations in London. The population at Bedfont has been increasing since the rafts were first put out in 2003 and this makes Bedfont Lakes an important location for Common Terns to nest in London.

The breeding Common Terns are important to the local community because they help attract visitors and encourage them to take an interest in wildlife and conservation through, for example, volunteering work. They also help to educate the community about the breeding habits of the birds. Visitors are amazed when the rangers tell them about the very long migration Common Terns take twice each year from Africa to the UK. They find it fascinating that they come all this way just to breed at places like Bedfont.

The tern rafts make a vast difference to the continued increase in the tern breeding patterns which is of great conservation value.

Terns are colonial nesters so a larger raft will enable more pairs to nest on one "island". This will give a greater degree of security on the raft and will make the raft more attractive to Common Terns. As a result, the park should be able to accommodate a greater number of pairs to nest, increasing the breeding population. Hopefully, this will attract more visitors to the park and encourage more volunteers from the local community to help work on other projects in the park, as well as contributing significantly to the ecology of the area.

The new tern raft was installed on Monday 8th June.
Positioning the new tern raft.	Final adjustments.
Ready.
The birds immediately make use of their new raft!

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