The black tern is an endangered bird species in the Netherlands that faces a shortage of natural nesting spots. To assist these birds after their long 4,000-kilometer migration from West Africa, the D...
#zwartestern #natuurbescherming
The black tern is an endangered bird species in the Netherlands that faces a shortage of natural nesting spots. To assist these birds after their long 4,000-kilometer migration from West Africa, the Dutch Forestry Commission, also known as Staatsbosbeheer, has installed special nesting rafts in the Gelderse Poort. These artificial structures provide a safe environment for the birds to breed. Because the terns prefer nesting on floating plants like the water soldier, the loss of these plants due to water quality issues has made human intervention necessary. Currently, about 140 breeding pairs rely on these rafts across various locations, including the Oude Waal near Nijmegen. Long-term efforts are focused on restoring natural plant populations to eventually replace the rafts. Local residents can observe a colony of 30 breeding pairs from the dike in the Ooijpolder. Staatsbosbeheer is hosting information sessions on June 15 and 18, 2026, to share more about these birds.
