A successful project has been completed under the measure “Identification, Preparation, and Implementation of Restoration Actions in the Danube Region”, implemented by the DANUBEPARKS member Landratsamt Neuburg-Schrobenhausen (District Office Neuburg-Schrobenhausen). The activity was carried out within the framework of the project Establishing Danube WILDisland Ramsar Regional Initiative and funded by the European Environment Initiative (EURENI) on behalf of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV). The total value of the project amounts to €9,333.48, of which €8,990.65 was provided by EURENI.
The project resulted in the creation of a dedicated breeding island for the Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) on a small island in Lake Albschüttsee, located along the Danube in the Neuburg-Schrobenhausen district.
Over time, the island had become densely overgrown with shrubs and trees, making it unsuitable for ground-nesting bird species. This was a significant concern, as Bavaria’s largest population of Common Terns breeds in the nearby Schimmerweiher. Other species of conservation interest, such as Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius) and Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) are also present in the region.
To address this, the island was restored to create a suitable breeding habitat. In November 2025, a major field operation was conducted. A contractor accessed the island by boat, removed the dense vegetation, and transported the biomass back to the mainland, leaving behind a cleared and open surface suitable for nesting.
To ensure long-term effectiveness, additional measures are being implemented by the District Office Neuburg-Schrobenhausen. These include removing the topsoil and covering the surface with gravel to prevent rapid vegetation regrowth. Artificial Common Tern decoys—produced using 3D printing and hand-painted—will be installed to attract breeding birds.
The success of the restoration will be monitored using wildlife cameras and acoustic recording devices. Furthermore, a district-wide monitoring campaign is planned for 2026 to assess population trends and evaluate the overall impact of the intervention.
This initiative represents an important step toward strengthening breeding habitats for ground-nesting birds and contributes to broader efforts for wetland restoration and biodiversity conservation across the Danube region.
On behalf of the Danube WILDisland Ramsar Regional Initiative, we would like to thank our colleagues from the District Office Neuburg-Schrobenhausen for the excellent work carried out and their strong commitment to nature conservation and the restoration of valuable habitats along the Danube.