Birds of prey delay plant conversion

Asphalt plant conversion plans put on hold at Tarmac’s Colchester site to protect nesting kestrels

TARMAC proved their commitment to biodiversity when they put specialist works on hold at their Colchester asphalt plant after kestrels were found to be nesting there.

The company had been due to convert the site into a specialist Mastertint unit, in order to produce coloured asphalt, when a nest containing four eggs was discovered in the main plant structure between the screen and the hot-stone elevator.

‘We’d previously noticed a pair of kestrels around the site, but just as the engineering department were about to hand over the plant to operations, a fitter discovered an egg in a nest. The next day there was one more egg and by the end of the week there were four,’ said zone manager Gary Langton.

Because kestrels are protected species, work to convert the plant stopped immediately to ensure the safety of the birds. Instead, safety improvement work was carried out at the site because it did not impact on the birds or the nest.

After six weeks the eggs hatched and the chicks thrived in their unusual habitat. All four have now flown the nest, but three are still seen regularly around the site, which is next to woodland.

‘I quite often see one perched on top of the plant and it’s a lovely sight,’ said Mr Langton. ‘They’re wonderful-looking birds and it’s great to see them going about their business.

‘We lost six weeks but it was the right thing to do. It really does show Tarmac’s commitment to biodiversity and their environmental responsibilities.’

The converted asphalt plant is now undergoing final trials and it is expected to become a dedicated Mastertint unit in the near future.