A Success Story

In 2009 a pair of common terns were successful in breeding on a pontoon at the former Preston Dock, now Preston Marina.Following this Fylde Bird Club introduced artificial nest sites on the pontoons.These were created using gravel filled tyres and slate shelters on the pontoons.Since then the colony has gone from strength to strength.This year 2014 I understand there are well over a hundred nests which have produced over one hundred chicks.

It is a great place to visit with the camera as there is constant action with the common terns coming in to feed their young.The fish come from the nearby River Ribble and the terns fish the tidal river all the way down to the estuary at Lytham.They also travel inland to catch fish on the Lancaster canal.I have visited on a few occasions over the years but had not visited for some time.I therefore made a couple of evening visits this week and found plenty of action to photograph.

Some birds had fledged and flown but other terns still had very young chicks to feed and these families kept me busy with the camera.I have shown above a few images of the action and also a view from the Marina looking back to Preston and St Walburg's church where once again peregrine falcons have also been successful in rearing  young. Soon the terns will depart on their long migrations to the African Continent and I wish them well until hopefully they all return again next summer.Thanks for looking in and enjoy the weekend.