The Forth Islands SPA (Special Protected Area) used to be the main breeding area for roseate terns in Scotland, however due to increased predation, the loss of nesting habitat and the resulting competition for the remaining areas, they have not been recorded breeding at any of the islands (or in the rest of Scotland) since 2009.

Along with the loss of roseate terns, the presence of other tern species declined in the Forth Islands SPA, with currently only two common tern colonies remaining: Long Craig Island and the Isle of May. Although not within the SPA, there is also a common tern colony at Leith Docks.

Scottish Natural Heritage manages the Isle of May and recently they have invested a lot of effort to create tern nesting areas with some positive results. In 2017, Arctic terns increased with 832 pairs and there were 29 pairs of common terns. After an eight-year hiatus, Sandwich terns were recorded nesting in 2016 and 2017.

Long Craig Island, managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, is the only site within the Forth Island SPA, where the LIFE Project is involved. In 2017, there were 165 pairs of common terns nesting there and in 2016, the wardens recorded a roseate tern and common tern hybrid pair.

One of the key objectives of the Project is to restore the five sites which have historically supported breeding roseate terns. Through improving and boosting the survival of the common tern colonies may result in roseate terns being more inclined to recolonise these areas in the future.

​As Long Craig Island has limited nesting space for terns as a result of spring high tides; the LIFE Project deployed a 64 square metre raft in Port Edgar Marina just 1.5 km away from the island to support the population. It replaces an old pontoon, which was the site of a common tern colony, but which was badly damaged in the winter storms of 2014/15. The new raft will provide the terns at Long Craig additional nesting place which is both safe from flooding and mammalian predators on the mainland.

​The materials for the raft arrived to Port Edgar Marina and was subsequently assembled on the jetty as per design by KAMES. Overall, the raft took a full 3 days to build and install into its designated space.

The main frame of the raft is made of galvanised steel and the decking is supported on pressure treated, Scottish grown Douglas Fir timber beams and secured using stainless steel fixings. The decking is made of recycled polyethylene planks covered with a ground geomembrane.

For buoyancy, there are 10 floats, of which each are filled with 790 litres of expanded closed cell polyurethane and the raft has been anchored with 4 huge, 100 Kg self-embedding anchors on 40mm thick chains.

Once in place, the surface of the raft was covered in over 1 tonne of mixed source crushed shells to replicate the tern’s natural habitat. A number of shelters were also added to provide tern chick’s opportunity to hide from the elements or avian predators.

There are also 8 concrete tern decoys which simulate nesting birds in order attract passing terns to the new nesting area. These have been placed following RSPB guidance.

Are you interested in seeing some of the stunning seabirds in the Firth of Forth?
Why not consider the RSPB's Seabird Cruises which are available during the summer?

South Queensferry Cruises
Join the RSPB aboard the Maid of the Forth for a 3 hour fun and fact filled trip around the islands of the Forth. 

Starting under the iconic Forth bridges we will sail east past Inchgarvie, Inchcolm and Inchmickery out to our turning point at Inchkeith.  Along the way we are sure to see many of the birds that make up the fantastic seabird colonies found in the forth including puffins, fulmars, eiders and shags as well as seals hauled out on buoys, terns fishing and we may even catch a glimpse of peregrine falcon hunting. 

With in-depth commentary from RSPB experts bringing the environment to life, it’s sure to be a fun and fact filled cruise!

Cruises sail on Sunday 4th June and Sunday 2nd July at 6pm.

North Berwick Cruise
Hop aboard the ‘Seafari Explorer’ catamaran for a two hour trip around the fascinating Forth islands. 

Sailing from North Berwick harbour we will first head west towards Fidra, said to the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson’s treasure island and now a RSPB nature reserve, before turning to head back towards Craigleith and on towards the Bass rock, the world’s largest colony of Northern gannets and ‘one of the wildlife wonders of the world’. 

We will see gannets fishing, seals basking and puffins galore as we see hear and smell the wildlife spectacle that helps make the forth such a special place.

Cruise sails on Saturday 17th June at 6pm.

Cost?
The North Berwick cruise is £20 for adults (RSPB members £18) and £12 for children.
The South Queensferry cruise is £18 for adults (RSPB members £16) and £7 for children. Family tickets (two adults and two children) are £40.
 
To book, visit maidoftheforth.co.uk or for more information call 01324 832853