A FUNDRAISING appeal has been launched in a bid to ensure sandwich terns can continue to survive on Brownsea Island.

Dorset Wildlife Trust has started the Crowdfunding appeal to raise £2,900.

Sandwich terns survive mostly on nature reserves due to the specific type of habitat they need to live. They breed in colonies on sand and shingle beaches, islands and spits, close to their main food source of sand eels.

Brownsea Island is one of only a few places they live in Dorset, and here they make their homes on specially created gravel islands on the lagoon.

Now, DWT are trying to ensure these islands are maintained to prevent erosion as recently, shelves have been forming around the sides of the islands, where gravel has fallen away.

This means young chicks are at risk of falling into the water and drowning.

Fundraising officer, Clare Busby said: “Anything we can do to encourage sandwich terns to roost in the lagoon on Brownsea Island will greatly help increase their numbers and ensure the survival of the species. "In recent years we have found that their numbers are declining, partly due to predation from neighbouring black gulls and sparrow hawks, but also because of habitat decline. "These birds really capture the hearts of our visitors we want to get the lagoon in great condition for the start of their next breeding season from next May until September.”

The sandwich tern is currently classified in the UK as amber under the Birds of Conservation Concern, particularly on the south coast.

To pledge your donation, visit crowdfunder.co.uk/terns.