In 2020, Virginia created temporary seabird nesting habitat at Fort Wool and nearby barges; by 2021, royal tern nests there numbered up to 6,283

South Island, once a vital breeding ground for seabirds, suffered degradation due to construction activities. In a remarkable turn of events, Fort Wool was repurposed into a temporary haven for these birds. They adapted swiftly, leading to the establishment of thousands of nests and successful chick rearing. This project exemplifies how habitat restoration can thrive even amid development, offering a promising blueprint for future coastal conservation efforts facing habitat decline.