Having previously worked with the RSPB in Spring 2017 to create Tern nesting habitat on the breakwaters at Lymington Harbour, Aquascience were eager to be involved in this similar project: reprofiling islands within Normandy Lagoon, Lymington to improve the habitat for nesting Terns.
The project involved reprofiling the islands, laying down a geotextile membrane and covering with pea shingle. This created a favourable habitat whilst also ensuring weed, or other vegetation, growth wouldn’t disrupt this in the future.
As the islands were in the middle of the lagoon and the route to get to them was over a metre deep in places, transporting the machinery and materials to the working area was a major challenge. Aquascience overcame this by using a floating pontoon, powered by an outboard motor and directed by guide ropes, to transport a small excavator and bulk bags of shingle to the islands.
The habitat improvement scheme was a success and Aquascience now hope that, as they managed on the breakwaters 3 years previously, the area sees improved birdlife as a result.
