FEATURING waterside views and crushed shell flooring throughout, this floating rural retreat is the perfect home for loved-up couples – according to the Scottish Wildlife Trust.

The nature conservation charity credits the refurbished nesting platform at its Montrose Basin reserve in Angus with helping to boost bird numbers by keeping chicks away from predators.

The raft – named Maid of Sterna Stuff II – is currently home to around 80 common terns which have this week been observed forming pairs and breeding.

Most pairs lay a clutch of three eggs, which can take up to four weeks to hatch, and the species is amber listed in the UK due to recent population declines.

Filled with a base of broken shells, the raft helps nesting birds to protect their eggs from ground predators and was brought ashore for repairs after the 2017 breeding season. Its refurbishment and re-floating has been supported by EB Scotland through the Scottish Landfill Communities Fund.

Anna Cowie, Montrose Basin ranger, said: “Terns are great to watch as they form breeding pairs.

“They have wonderful courting displays where males and females cross over in the air and zig-zag down to the raft.

“Males then adopt an unusual stance with their head down and wings out while circling the female and offer a fish to their potential mate to cement their bond.

“The signs are good that we will have a successful season and hopefully it won’t be long until the terns are raising their chicks.

“We’re pleased to be giving them a safe home on the Basin this season after lots of work to complete major repairs to the raft.”