Latest news with #Kittiwake
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Hotel 'highly suitable' for kittiwake nesting site
Nests for up to 1,050 kittiwakes could be installed at a landmark hotel as part of efforts to limit noise and mess from the birds. A council-funded study identified the terrace of Scarborough's Grand Hotel as a "highly suitable" location to house a series of artificial nesting structures (ANS). It was one of four sites inspected by an ornithologist as part of ongoing work aimed at managing the impact of the town's kittiwake population. Members of North Yorkshire Council's Scarborough and Whitby area committee are set to discuss the findings at a meeting on Friday. Earlier this year the council drafted a new strategy aimed at addressing issues around noise, mess and aggressive behaviour by sea birds in the town - of which kittiwakes are thought to be the "most abundant". As part if the study, four sites were inspected - Star Map in South Cliff Gardens, the derelict concrete chalets, and the Old Bathing Building. The report found the Grand Hotel's terrace to be "the most significant" location, describing it as an "almost perfect ecological site" due to its "close proximity to existing nesting colonies and its orientation towards the sea". It said the hotel's terrace presented a "maximum design opportunity" for an artificial nesting structure with up to 1,050 nesting spaces, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, though said such sites "may only ever be 50 to 60 per cent occupied when fully colonised". It was also noted that the structures "do not need to be elaborate or expensive" and could be as simple as a series of purpose-made shelving, made from marine ply or other durable wood and supported by a steel structure. The report added that the installation of ANS in the town "represents an opportunity beyond just re-locating numbers of breeding Kittiwake" and could lead to an approach problems caused by the birds which "considers both the needs of local residents and businesses and the support of wild bird populations". Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Fake nesting towers may reduce gull issues - study Rise in gull complaints leads to new action plan Visitors warned over feeding seagulls after attacks North Yorkshire Council
Scotsman
30-04-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Calls to stop massive Scottish wind farm with 307 turbines as 31,000 seabirds forecast to be killed
The cumulative impact of wind farm turbines in the area could accelerate one seabird species to extinction, the RSPB said. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Ministers have been urged to reject plans for an offshore wind farm that has been predicted to kill tens of thousands of seabirds. Five charities, led by RSPB Scotland, have written to the First Minister to argue that approving Berwick Bank in the Firth of Forth would put nature at risk and accelerate at least one species to extinction. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In the environment impact assessment for the wind farm, SSE Renewables, the developer, reportedly said it expects more than 31,000 bird collisions over the projected 35-year lifespan of the development. The company is said to have amended its designs to minimise risks to Scottish seabirds. The Scottish Government, which is considering whether to approve the project, said it cannot comment on live applications. Rampion Offshore Wind Farm The proposed development, which would be one of the largest in the world, will have up to 307 turbines across an area four times the size of Edinburgh. The Bass Rock was described by Sir David Attenborough as 'one of the 12 wildlife wonders of the world' | Lisa Ferguson If given the go ahead, the wind farm would stand about 20 miles from the globally recognised seabird colonies of St Abb's and Bass Rock, the latter being internationally known for its famous gannet colony. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The largest number of seabird species expected to be killed are kittiwakes, followed by gannets and herring gulls. The letter to First Minister John Swinney calling for the application to be rejected has been signed by RSPB Scotland, the Scottish Wildlife Trust, the National Trust for Scotland, the Marine Conservation Society and the Scottish Seabird Centre. RSBP Scotland said new offshore wind developments are being held back due to their combined impacts with Berwick Bank on seabirds. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It said an example of this is Ossian, a similar-sized windfarm that would generate almost the same amount of electricity. This project, using the latest floating turbine technology, is proposed further offshore, away from key seabird sites. Ossian alone would reduce the Kittiwake population at St Abb's Head by up to 13 per cent, the charity said. However, conservationists claim Ossian and Berwick Bank together are expected to reduce the same Kittiwake population by up to a shocking 81 per cent, which they said could fast track Kittiwakes towards extinction. SSE submitted a planning application to the Scottish Government in late 2022 and is still awaiting a decision. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad RSPB director Anne McCall | RSPB Anne McCall, director of RSPB Scotland, said: 'Offshore wind has a key role in tackling the climate and nature emergency. We fully support well-sited wind farms, which work with nature. But they are being held back by a major spanner in the works. 'Berwick Bank would be catastrophic for Scotland's globally important seabirds. Its impacts are so damaging it is blocking plans for new, less-harmful windfarms. 'As the First Minister said earlier this year - nature should be at the heart of climate action. Our message to the Scottish Government is clear. Refuse Berwick Bank to unlock the full potential of offshore wind while protecting our outstanding wildlife.' SSE insists seabird densities are "not exceptional" in the area and the impact on seabirds would be among the lowest of any wind farm site. Both those claims are disputed by RSPB Scotland. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
The Herald Scotland
30-04-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Nature charities call for proposed offshore windfarm to be refused
RSPB Scotland has joined forces with the Marine Conservation Society, National Trust for Scotland, Scottish Seabird Centre and Scottish Wildlife Trust to urge Scottish ministers to refuse Berwick Bank "to protect wildlife and progress less damaging offshore projects". The charities say new offshore wind developments are currently being held back due to their combined impacts with Berwick Bank on Scotland's globally important seabird populations. It comes as seabirds already face serious challenges, from Avian Flu to unsustainable fishing practices. Around 70% of seabird species are in decline in Scotland, including much-loved Puffins which face national and global extinction, according to RSPB Scotland. READ MORE: Scottish Seabird Centre objects to 'highly damaging' Berwick Bank plan Community anger as bid for 'groundbreaking' windfarm project rejected Work to start at major new Scottish wind farm as key contractors hired Anne McCall, director of RSPB Scotland, said: 'Offshore wind has a key role in tackling the climate and nature emergency. We fully support well-sited wind farms which work with nature. But they are being held back by a major spanner in the works. 'Berwick Bank would be catastrophic for Scotland's globally important seabirds. Its impacts are so damaging it is blocking plans for new, less-harmful windfarms. 'As the First Minister said earlier this year: nature should be at the heart of climate action. Our message to the Scottish Government is clear. Refuse Berwick Bank to unlock the full potential of offshore wind while protecting our outstanding wildlife.' Diarmid Hearns, interim director of conservation and policy at The National Trust for Scotland, said: 'The National Trust for Scotland cares for St Abb's Head National Nature Reserve, which is home to approximately 45,000 seabirds during breeding season, including protected Kittiwake, Guillemot, Razorbill and Shag species. 'Climate change is one of the biggest threats to seabirds and offshore wind development is important to meet Scotland's climate ambitions, therefore we are fully supportive of it. However, installations must be located with sensitivity to the very habitats we're trying to protect from climate impacts- the proposed site for Berwick Bank is likely to cause high levels of ecological damage and severely impact the seabird colonies at St Abb's Head. Bass Rock is home to the world's largest colony of Northern gannets. 'We urge Ministers to reject the proposal for Berwick Bank and instead focus on advancing proposals in more appropriate locations.' Harry Huyton, CEO at Scottish Seabird Centre, said: 'The Firth of Forth is home to globally important seabird populations, including the world's largest colony of Gannets on Bass Rock. 'Most of Scotland's seabird species are already in decline, and Berwick Bank threatens to undermine attempts to restore populations by killing and displacing tens of thousands of seabirds. It is simply the wrong place for an offshore wind farm. 'We want to see a strong and vibrant offshore wind industry in Scotland, which avoids developing sensitive sites for wildlife and actively contributes to nature conservation. Ministers must urgently act for nature and the future of offshore wind by refusing consent to Berwick Bank.' Jo Pike, chief executive at Scottish Wildlife Trust, said: "Renewable energy developments will be a key component in tackling the climate emergency, but this must be done in a way that also protects nature. 'Scotland's seas are facing the twin nature and climate crises and developments must therefore be strategically placed to avoid damaging already vulnerable species and habitats. 'Refusing consent to Berwick Bank in favour of developments in less sensitive areas would allow for progress towards Net Zero commitments at pace, whilst mitigating the impacts to nature.'
The National
30-04-2025
- Business
- The National
Calls for proposed mega offshore windfarm to be refused
A coalition of five charities have written to the First Minister urging him to reject Berwick Bank windfarm in the Firth of Forth, to protect wildlife and progress less damaging offshore projects. RSPB Scotland has joined forces with the Marine Conservation Society, National Trust for Scotland, Scottish Seabird Centre and Scottish Wildlife Trust. Developer SSE has said it has already amended its designs to minimise any potential risks to Scottish seabirds. READ MORE: Stagecoach bus strikes suspended after legal threat Berwick Bank is planned for an area four times the size of the entire City of Edinburgh Council area, just 40km off the East Lothian coast, close to iconic seabird sites like the Bass Rock and Isle of May. New offshore wind developments are currently being held back due to their combined impacts with Berwick Bank on Scotland's globally important seabird populations. The group highlights Ossian, a similar sized windfarm to Berwick Bank which would generate almost the same amount of electricity, which is proposed further offshore and away from key seabird sites. Ossian alone would reduce the Kittiwake population at St Abb's Head by up to 13%, and along with the Berwick Bank, the tow are expected to reduce the same Kittiwake population by up to 81%. If Berwick Bank goes ahead, it is almost impossible to imagine that Ossian would be allowed to proceed due to these devastating impacts. Around 70% of seabird species are in decline in Scotland, including Puffins which face national and global extinction. Anne McCall, director of RSPB Scotland, said: 'Offshore wind has a key role in tackling the climate and nature emergency. We fully support well-sited wind farms which work with nature. But they are being held back by a major spanner in the works. 'Berwick Bank would be catastrophic for Scotland's globally important seabirds. Its impacts are so damaging it is blocking plans for new, less-harmful windfarms. 'As the First Minister said earlier this year: nature should be at the heart of climate action. Our message to the Scottish Government is clear. Refuse Berwick Bank to unlock the full potential of offshore wind while protecting our outstanding wildlife.' READ MORE: Scottish Tory bid to oust Maggie Chapman from Holyrood committee reeks of hypocrisy Diarmid Hearns, interim director of conservation and policy at The National Trust for Scotland, said: 'The National Trust for Scotland cares for St Abb's Head National Nature Reserve, which is home to approximately 45,000 seabirds during breeding season, including protected Kittiwake, Guillemot, Razorbill and Shag species. 'Climate change is one of the biggest threats to seabirds and offshore wind development is important to meet Scotland's climate ambitions, therefore we are fully supportive of it. However, installations must be located with sensitivity to the very habitats we're trying to protect from climate impacts- the proposed site for Berwick Bank is likely to cause high levels of ecological damage and severely impact the seabird colonies at St Abb's Head. 'We urge Ministers to reject the proposal for Berwick Bank and instead focus on advancing proposals in more appropriate locations.' Harry Huyton, CEO at Scottish Seabird Centre, added: 'The Firth of Forth is home to globally important seabird populations, including the world's largest colony of Gannets on Bass Rock. 'Most of Scotland's seabird species are already in decline, and Berwick Bank threatens to undermine attempts to restore populations by killing and displacing tens of thousands of seabirds. It is simply the wrong place for an offshore wind farm. 'We want to see a strong and vibrant offshore wind industry in Scotland, which avoids developing sensitive sites for wildlife and actively contributes to nature conservation. Ministers must urgently act for nature and the future of offshore wind by refusing consent to Berwick Bank.'
