Controlled falconry measures move kittiwakes from North Sea platforms
Oct. 10, 2023
NBC Environment has completed a falconry program in the UK southern North Sea, a `non-lethal’ method of deterring and protecting kittiwakes nesting on offshore installations facing decommissioning.
Courtesy NBC Environment
Nesting kittiwakes on the platform
Offshore staff
LONDON — NBC Environment has completed a falconry program in the UK southern North Sea, a "non-lethal" method of deterring and protecting kittiwakes nesting on offshore installations facing decommissioning.
THREE60 Energy was duty holder of the Schooner and Ketch gas platforms, both due to be decommissioned in 2022-23.
To comply with legislation designed to ensure that decommissioning does not have a detrimental effect on local wildlife, THREE60 Energy commissioned NBC Environment to assess the nesting kittiwake population on the platforms and provide data to support the decommissioning process.
Courtesy NBC Environment
An NBC falconer carries out a program to the platform.
In 2021, NBC conducted a survey that identified 224 kittiwake nests, 316 eggs and 307 chicks on the Schooner platform. This led to deployment of the falconry program the following year to protect the birds.
Another survey revealed no nesting on Ketch, allowing decommissioning of that facility in April.
At Schooner, the exercise involved importing three falcons to deter kittiwakes from the platform and away toward a new, safer habitat. Although birds of prey, the hand-reared falcons were trained to only deter other birds from nesting through being visible in specific areas on the platform or in flight around it.
This April, NBC’s final pre-lift survey found that the deterrent had reduced the numbers of kittiwake nests and eggs on the platform with a large number of the flock migrating to new nesting grounds on the UK coast. This led the UK government to confirm a license for removal works to continue under a strict set condition.
