RSPB ruffles feathers over nests of rare estuary species

THE RSPB has taken on the Environment Agency over a plan to create floodplains which would have destroyed the nests of rare birds.

Mud flats were due to be created on the River Otter in Devon this month in a nature restoration attempt, but doing so would require the destruction of vegetation on the river, putting birds and their nests at risk.

After receiving rebukes from the bird charity and Chris Packham, the BBC’S Springwatch presenter, the Environment Agency said the start of the project was “being reviewed” to take possible ecological damage into account.

The RSPB said it supported the restoration scheme but it was the wrong time of year, as many birds are nesting.

Tony Whitehead from the charity said there were concerns about the work taking place in May, “in the middle of the nesting season”.

He explained that species such as the rare Cetti’s warbler were at risk and the RSPB had repeatedly asked for the work to be moved to another time of year.

“It is good to hear that the works have been paused today and for the remainder of this week,” he said. “We hope this will give time for the works to be rescheduled for after the bird-nesting season, which in our view would be after the end of August.” The bird charity said it had spent months trying to get the plans delayed. The plan for the estuary is to return it to a more natural state, creating 55 hectares of mudflats, salt marsh and other valuable estuarine habitats. Along with increasing biodiversity, the project is aimed at reducing floods in the areas around the Otter.

Packham said: “The Environment Agency said they could not delay this work until after June because there are dormice on site. You can’t just start destroying birds’ nests when they are

‘You can’t start destroying birds’ nests when they are protecting. What kind of signal is this sending out?’

protecting. What kind of signal is this sending out to developers elsewhere?” The presenter later thanked the government agency for pausing the work.

An EA spokesman said the delay had been agreed so “that timings reflect the balance of ecological risks”. Clinton Devon Estates, a partner in the scheme, added: “Following consultation … the start of vegetation clearance work in preparation for the Lower Otter Restoration Project has been postponed. “Any works in the future will be undertaken on the basis that they will not have a risk of impacting breeding birds.”