Common Tern breeding raft for Hinksey Lake

There has been a tern breeding raft on Hinksey Lake for the past 9 years. It had 6 pairs of Common Tern nesting on it in 2024 and they successfully raised 14 young. This is the biggest colony of this species in Oxfordshire. This project is to add another tern breeding raft on the same lake with the expectation that the same number of pairs might choose to nest on the new raft doubling the success rate of young. The Hinksey Lake provides a very safe environment for these wild birds and with the raft secured out in the middle of the lake they are safe from predation and from the many people and dogs who enjoy the lakes. The Hinksey Lake site could be considered for Local Wildlife Site designation by TVERC if the same number again were to nest here.