Sandwich Tern Nesting Project

[Marc]

I visited the exhibition about the Sandwich Tern Nesting Project today, and very interesting it was too.

This is a project led and funded by Equinor which develops wind farms. This exercise is part of its offset project for a wind farm developed in Norfolk. You may be asking your self why a wind farm in Norfolk would benefit us here in south west Scotland. Well, there are a number of sandwich tern communities around the UK, mainly dotted around the coast of England. It just so happens that one of the largest communities is on the north coast of Norfolk, and so the wind farm would have an impact on this community. So it was decided that whilst still focussing on the sandwich tern, an alternative location would be good to establish a new community.

Sandwich terns used to be found along the coast of west Scotland, and the area around Loch Ryan was found to be an ideal location. Sandwich Terns are quite particular; they like to eat sprats, they like to nest in gravelly terrain, and they don’t like it too cold. The number of sprats in Loch Ryan has increased over the last two decades sufficiently to maintain a colony of Sandwich Terns, and the terrain on the east side of the Loch is ideal. There isn’t a high volume of natural predators such a foxes, and the risk of predatory birds such as herons which eat other birds’ eggs is low.

The idea is to build an inland pool on land owned by Corsewall Estates which will have islands for the birds. There will be a couple of hides for birdwatchers. This pool will be adjacent to the coastal path, and will be somewhat protected from the path by banks on the side of the pool. This will mean that walkers including dog walkers will still be able to use the coastal path without disturbing the birds, and the project has been very careful not to inhibit walkers either.

Equinor have published a series of information boards which can be seen at the following link:

https://lochryanterns.co.uk/wp-content/ ... panels.pdf

As you can see the pool will be built at the north end of the project site, and all the excavated earth, will be used on the land to the southern end of the site to level out dips. None of this work is due to start yet though, as they are still in negotiation with Corsewall Estates, and are still working through planning, so they are hoping to develop the site in 2025/26. They are intending for the site to be inhabited passively by the Sandwich Terns, but may play so bird sounds to try and entice them to the area.

The project has consulted with NatureScot and the Scottish Ornithologist Club, both of which have provided expertise on the birds and the environment. This project will not only increase the number of bird colonies, but will also increase bird watching tourists to the area, which can only be a good thing. From an educational point of view, this will be a great facility for local schools to visit as well.

The reception they have had has been very positive from local residents, Corsewall Estates and ornithologists. This project has been well thought through, not only for the benefit of the birds, but also with consideration for the local area and local residents. We already have a good range of birds around the Loch, and it will be lovely to see this project develop and thrive.

Equinor has already presented an exhibition in Kirkcolm and the Millenium Centre on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, and will be returning to present another exhibition again on the 5th and 6th of March. They are more than happy to answer any questions whether it be about the project, or the birds themselves. I would certainly encourage local residents to visit the exhibition on one of those days to find out more. I will post more details on times when they are known.