The first Common terns’ chicks hatching

 11-06-2019


The first Common terns’ chicks hatching

At the end of May, when the last Common terns still laying the eggs, the early birds already feed their chicks. On May 27, the project staff has visited 2 breeding sites of Common Tern on the islands of Kalviai gravel pit (Klaipeda district) and on the artificial rafts in Raseiniai fishponds.

The results from Kalviai gravel pit were disappointing, as only two nests of Common Tern were found. Numerous Black-headed gulls breed on the island and occupy all the suitable breeding sites. The practical management works are scheduled after the breeding season of this year, when birds will leave the island. It’s foreseen to remove vegetation and to add additional gravel layer on the islands, thus enlarging the surface of suitable breeding sites for Common terns.

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Common Tern. Photo by Eugenijus Drobelis

The situation at the Raseiniai fishponds was also checked, as previously practical management works were implemented here in the frame of the agri-environmental measure, financed by the EU Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). Artificial rafts were installed, and vegetation was removed from the islands in the fishponds. The monitoring results were impressive, 33 and 44 pairs of Common terns were breeding on two artificial rafts. Every raft also contained a nest of Mallard, that very likely were attracted by the security of the terns’ colony.  In addition, 20 pairs of Common terns shared the island as breeding site with Black-headed gulls. During the monitoring visit the first Common terns’ chicks were discovered. Almost 100 pairs of Common terns breed at the site and this case shows, how significantly private owners of the fishponds can contribute to the successful breeding of the species. It’s a good example when the nature conservation activities and business opportunities are harmonized.


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