Latest news with #ScottishSeabirdCentre
Epoch Times
30-04-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
Charities Call for Wind Farm to Be Blocked as Thousands of Bird Deaths Feared
Nature charities are urging the Scottish Government to refuse consent for one of the world's largest offshore wind farms, warning it could kill and displace tens of thousands of seabirds. They warn the Berwick Bank wind farm would be 'catastrophic' for Scotland's seabirds and call for developments in more 'appropriate' locations. Berwick Bank would have up to 307 turbines located in the outer Firth of Forth, around 25 miles off the Scottish coast near seabird sites like Bass Rock, St. Abb's Head, and the Isle of May, which is home to puffins. RSPB Scotland, the Marine Conservation Society, National Trust for Scotland, Scottish Wildlife Trust, and Scottish Seabird Centre have united to call for the development to be refused and have written to Scotland's First Minister John Swinney. SSE Renewables said it has amended the development designs to reduce, as much as practical, any potential risks to Scottish seabirds. 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. Related Stories 3/25/2025 7/24/2024 'Berwick Bank would be catastrophic for Scotland's globally important seabirds. Its impacts are so damaging it is blocking plans for new, less-harmful wind farms. '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.' The charities claim new offshore wind developments are being held back owing to their combined impacts with Berwick Bank on Scotland's seabird populations, and suggest refusing it could open up opportunities for other such projects. Berwick Bank has been awaiting a decision for two years after SSE Renewables submitted a planning application to the Scottish Government in late 2022. The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) cares for St. Abb's Head National Nature Reserve, which is home to around 45,000 seabirds during breeding season, including protected kittiwake, guillemot, razorbill, and shag species. Diarmid Hearns, interim director of conservation and policy at NTS, said: '[Offshore wind] 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.' Analysis carried out for the developer predicts hundreds of bird collisions a year, which the charities said could mean tens of thousands killed and displaced over the coming years. Harry Huyton, chief executive at the Scottish Seabird Centre, said Berwick Bank is 'simply the wrong place for an offshore wind farm.' He added: '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.' Berwick Bank could generate up to 4.1 gigawatts, enough energy to power more than 6 million homes, and is described as one of the world's largest offshore wind opportunities by SSE Renewables. On the Berwick Bank project website, SSE Renewables said it spent a decade carrying out one of the world's largest aerial bird surveys, enabling it to put forward a more environmentally friendly design. A Scottish Government spokesperson said, 'It would not be appropriate to comment on a live consenting application.' Alex Meredith, SSE Renewables's Berwick Bank project director, said: 'The U.N. has already warned the world could warm by a massive 3.1 degrees C this century without greater action. 'Developing a world-leading offshore wind industry, with projects of the scale and ambition of Berwick Bank, is a key part of combating the catastrophic consequences of that. 'But the reality is that Berwick Bank has now been in planning for almost 30 months and whilst we will always continue to work constructively with stakeholders we must move forward urgently with action and delivery for the climate and our iconic Scottish seabirds.'
STV News
30-04-2025
- Business
- STV News
Call for wind farm to be blocked as thousands of bird deaths feared
Nature charities are urging the Scottish Government to refuse consent for one of the world's largest offshore wind farms, warning it could kill and displace tens of thousands of seabirds. They warn the Berwick Bank wind farm would be 'catastrophic' for Scotland's seabirds and call for developments in more 'appropriate' locations. Berwick Bank would have up to 307 turbines located in the outer Firth of Forth, around 40km off the Scottish coast near seabird sites like Bass Rock, St Abb's Head and the Isle of May – which is home to puffins. RSPB Scotland, the Marine Conservation Society, National Trust for Scotland, Scottish Wildlife Trust and Scottish Seabird Centre have united to call for the development to be refused and have written to Scotland's First Minister John Swinney. 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 wind farms. '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.' The charities claim new offshore wind developments are being held back due to their combined impacts with Berwick Bank on Scotland's seabird populations, and suggest refusing it could open up opportunities for other such projects. Berwick Bank has been awaiting a decision for two years after SSE Renewables submitted a planning application to the Scottish Government in late 2022. The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) cares for St Abb's Head National Nature Reserve, which is home to around 45,000 seabirds during breeding season, including protected kittiwake, guillemot, razorbill and shag species. Diarmid Hearns, interim director of conservation and policy at NTS, said: '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.' Analysis carried out for the developer predicts hundreds of bird collisions a year, which the charities said could mean tens of thousands killed and displaced over the coming years. Harry Huyton, chief executive at the Scottish Seabird Centre, said Berwick Bank is 'simply the wrong place for an offshore wind farm'. He added: '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.' Berwick Bank could generate up to 4.1 gigawatts, enough energy to power more than six million homes, and is described as one of the world's largest offshore wind opportunities by SSE Renewables. On the Berwick Bank project website, SSE Renewables said it spent a decade carrying out one of the world's largest aerial bird surveys, enabling it to put forward a more environmentally friendly design. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'It would not be appropriate to comment on a live consenting application.' SSE Renewables has been asked for comment. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
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.'
Edinburgh Reporter
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
New photography exhibition in North Berwick
A North Berwick pensioner is proving that there is life after retirement, with a whole new career at the age of 76. The Scottish Seabird Centre at North Berwick will host an exhibition by local amateur photographer, Pat Christie, from 30 April until 13 May. NORTH BERWICK SUNRISE TO SUNSET WITH PAT CHRISTIE, is the first exhibition for Pat, whose interest in photography was inspired by a move to the town in 2010. Growing up in Edinburgh, Pat spent her early years training as a competitive swimmer, eventually representing Scotland internationally in her late teens. After leaving school Pat joined the Civil Service, working in Local Government, then brought up her three daughters in Portobello along with her husband John, a professional musician. Starting out just taking snaps of the local coast and scenery as personal mementos after moving to her new home in North Berwick 15 years ago, Pat thought some of her images were 'quite nice' and eventually started sharing some photos on Facebook. The feedback and positive comments indicated that other people thought so too, encouraging Pat to her concentrate more on her new hobby. Armed only with her mobile phone, Pat can be found out and about before dawn most mornings waiting for the sun to peep over the horizon, with the coast, harbour and Bass Rock all favourite subjects. As she has become more experienced, Pat's photographs have regularly appeared in various newspapers, including the East Lothian Courier and The Scotsman, and have even been featured on the BBC. Her first Calendar was published in August last year, and was a global success with copies going all over the World, including Japan, Latin America, Australia, America and Canada as well as all over the UK and Europe. ' It's so exciting' said Pat, 'I'm still pinching myself. Who would have guessed that this would be happening at 76? ' The Exhibition at the Scottish Seabird Centre at North Berwick Harbour is Free and will be open daily 10am – 5pm. Like this: Like Related
