Vattenfall’s Ray wind farm in the north-east of England is a habitat for merlins, Britain’s smallest birds of prey.
They were placed on the Red List of Endangered Bird Species in the UK in 2015 because their population had declined.
The population is estimated at about 850-1000 pairs.
Since the Ray wind farm was commissioned in 2017, 23 merlin chicks have fledged there.
This makes the wind farm area one of the best in the region for Merlin, according to Paul Galloway of the Northumbria Ringing Group, a group of volunteers who monitor bird populations in the area.
“We are particularly grateful to Vattenfall and other like-minded landowners for their cooperation and continued monitoring support,” said Galloway.
During the construction of the wind farm, Vattenfall, in close cooperation with the responsible authorities, ensured that the birds were not disturbed.
As part of the habitat management plan, improvement work was carried out to restore sensitive habitats, including the peatland, by rewetting the surrounding area.
Work is also being carried out to promote heather regrowth, thus improving overall biodiversity, including the insect population, which is a food source for a number of birds that are protected in the region.
Robin Cox, environmental expert at Vattenfall, said: “We are committed to ensuring that renewable energy plays a role not only in the production of energy without fossil fuels, but also through our work to protect our natural environment.
“It’s great that five merlin chicks have fledged in Ray again this year.
“I would like to thank the licensed ringers of the Northumbria Ringing Group who continue to visit the facility each year to inspect and ring the birds.”