Two giant artificial “birds nests” have been built off the east coast of England to help home vulnerable seabirds in what is believed to be a world first.
The 26-feet tall metal structures have been built one kilometer off South Beach in Lowestoft, Norfolk, close to the Minsmere Nature Reserve.
Each Artificial Nesting Structure (ANS) comprises an octagonal topside with capacity for around 500 breeding pairs of kittiwake supported above the water.
Individual nesting spaces are fitted with a sliding Perspex panel which will allow researchers to view the kittiwake from inside the structures without the birds being able to see them.
Despite a lack of suitable natural nesting sites in Suffolk, Black-legged Kittiwake have colonized the area and populations are expanding.
This makes East Suffolk one of the most likely places for artificial structures to be colonized quickly.
The new structures – built by energy giant Ørsted – come after three kittiwake hotels have been built on shore.
The work is part of a compensation scheme associated with the Hornsea Three wind farm.
Eleni Antoniou, Environmental Manager at Ørsted, said: “The provision of these structures will provide a safe, nesting space.
“This is a first of its kind project that required a great deal of collaborative work.
“We have already had our first kittiwake visitor to the structures and look forward to seeing our first long-term residents.”
Produced in association with SWNS Talker
Edited by Saba Fatima and Asad Ali
