Division Sandwich and common terns

The sandwich and common tern breed outside the Voordelta in nearby Natura 2000 areas. Their diet consists of small fish, which they catch by diving in shallow coastal areas near sandbanks as described above (Habitat Type 1110). Food sources located near to breeding colonies will be lost due to the construction of Maasvlakte 2. This will have the greatest impact in the summer period, when the flight radius of these birds is limited by fledglings.

Current conditions provide limited peace and quiet on the mud plains that the birds use in the Voordelta. Measures restricting access are designed to create a more restful environment in the summer period on the Voordelta tidal plains at Hinderplaat and Bollen van de Ooster. This will allow the sandwich and common terns to utilise the area better as a resting place for their young and to make it easier to reach food supplies at sea.