Only a few feathers were ruffled

Down at Torness Power Station some workmen on a scaffold had accidentaly uncovered a bird nest as they removed old insulation, writes George Hogg (Hogg Estate Services).

The female rock pipit and her young

My job was to identify the nest and eggs, advise on the legal implications and put things right.

The eggs were those of Rock Pipits and the law has the good sense not to interfere in rescue situations.

I deputised Eddie Wright of Cape, the on-site scaffolders, to make me a nest box to match the cladding behind which the nest had been built.

The dislodged nest was placed in the box and the box fixed in the original nest position.

Eddie was given instructions to move the nest a meter or so per day until out of harm’s way.

Credit is also due to all the lads involved with the lagging removal for the way they allowed the nest as much peace as possible over the following couple of weeks.

Just to ensure the nest was not disturbed I had a camera watching it from the day of its final move to the day of fledging.

Here is the female and her three chicks around the half way stage, just one of 10,047 stills showing constant dawn till dusk feeding as the chicks slowly became feathered, grew in size and became ever more active within the box. Then suddenly they tumbled out and fluttered off, leaving the box still and silent.

How great to be able to turn disaster to success for this bird family.

Many thanks to all at Torness who assisted.