Breeding success on Brownsea Island

Barclays contributes to Brownsea breeding success.

It has been a good nesting season for terns on the Brownsea Island lagoon this summer, according to Dorset Wildlife Trust.  106 Sandwich terns fledged from 231 nesting pairs and 120 common terns fledged from 180 pairs.  These graceful birds nest on artificial islands in the DWT managed lagoon on the National Trust owned island.  They can still be seen feeding just off Poole’s beaches, diving spectacularly for fish, often right in close among the bathers, but they will be leaving for warmer climes this month, the Sandwich terns to southern Europe and Africa and the common terns to West and South Africa.

Back in February, as part of their six month adoption of the island’s nature reserve, staff from Barclays in Poole were working hard to repair the islands just in time for the terns’ arrival.  The terns have certainly been happy with the improvements, providing wonderful displays for visitors over the summer, as they reared their chicks close to the lagoon’s hides. 

Teams of Barclays staff have also been deserting their desks to help with clearing channels and removing debris in the reed beds.  This will benefit water voles, which are present on Brownsea, as well as other wildlife, including dragonflies.  They have been clearing invasive rhododendron and will shortly be cutting hay on the flower meadows. The adoption scheme, the first of its kind in Dorset, has been such a success that Barclays has renewed its commitment for another six months.  They will be supporting the DWT team on the island both financially and with work parties for the rest of this year.

David Bond, community relations officer for Barclays, said: “We are pleased to be continuing our adoption of Brownsea Island.  Our employees have thoroughly enjoyed the challenges set by DWT, not just because it took them out of the office for the day but because they knew they were making a real difference to a valuable nature reserve in Poole harbour. ”

Abigail Gibbs, DWT warden of the Brownsea Island nature reserve, said: “Having Barclays sponsor us this year is an amazing boost to the reserve.  Barclays employees are always keen to help out on any task we set them and, as well as helping us to benefit wildlife, they invariably go home with a sense of achievement.”

Brownsea Island is open to the public until 2 November.  For information on volunteering or adopting Dorset’s wildlife ring 01305 264620 or visit www.dorsetwildlife.co.uk