Holcim Granulats France

Objective

To compensate for the lack of temporary islets at water level due to the Moselle river regulation.

Context

The Tern, also known as Sea swallow, used to nest on this type of islet after its return of migration, to lay and brood its eggs.

Solution

A tern raft was conceived and built, in order to replace these islets of which the number is decreasing slowly because of the Moselle river anthropization.

Result

For a size of over 16m², and a weight of about 3 metric tons, the raft is covered with gravel which can be colonized by the vegetation.

The raft has been fitted with a wire fence along the border to protect nests from foxes and otters, with tiles against birds of prey and with take-off / landing boards.

Since it has been set up, a couple of tern nests every year on the raft.

Partners

Ligue pour la protection des oiseaux (LPO: French representative of BirdLife International) and a woodwork school (EREA).