Wildlife group provide boost for Ely’s terns

ELY’S Roswell Pits are now home to two floating, gravel-topped islands designed to give terns the ideal habitat for nesting.

Ely Wildspace volunteers spent Saturday morning installing the purpose-built tern rafts on the pits.

Common terns arrive each spring from Africa to feed in the Roswell area but breed several miles upstream.

Ely Wildspace committee member Richard Braund, said: “By providing them with suitable habitat we hope these artificial islands will boost the population of these fantastic birds by enabling them to nest in Ely as well.”

The rafts were made by local company K and K Mouldings – which specialises in glass fibre mouldings. They were funded with a grant from the Clark Bradbury Charitable Trust.

The Environment Agency gave logistical support, while Wildspace members and friends provided brain and brawn to help with the launch.

Mark Grooms, who organised the work party, said afterwards “While we were working I saw my first two terns of the year fly overhead. Fingers crossed that they take a liking to the accommodation now available and begin nesting in the next few weeks.”