The Oysterbeds, Image Archive
This site was developed to povide nesting sites for the Little Tern which arrive each year, during the summer months, to breed in Langstone harbour. A deep lagoon surrounds two man-made gravel islands (North and South) which the Tern find attractive for nesting. The lagoon is refreshed each high tide through two weirs at the seaward side. These weirs additionally ensure the water level is retained at low tide.
The following links are thoroughly recommended .
Langstone Harbour Wildlife Blog. Blog by Jason Crook (Seasonal warden at the Oysterbed site.)
Activity Photo Diary 2010 season. These images, ordered by date and in diary form, with background information.
Common Tern (Sterna hirundo). Copyright 2009 Peter Drury
Signs of aggression from adults in the Tern Colony today (Thursday 9 Aug). Most Terns and gulls have already left the colony but the remaining ones seem reluctant to venture far away. This is leading to challenges for the best perches to spot fish in the lagoon. This adult is wanting to use the 'no landing sign' as a perch but has spotted it is already occupied. See next image.
