National bird accolade for Lound Quarry
Tarmac land a first place in British Trust for Ornithology EDF Energy Business Bird Challenge
TARMAC’s Lound quarry in Nottinghamshire has landed a first place in the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) EDF Energy Business Bird Challenge. The prestigious national award scheme recognizes leading business sites for conservation, creating habitats for birds, and community engagement.
The 600ha sand and gravel quarry complex near Retford secured first place in the Birds Category for Quarry Sites after local birdwatchers from Lound Bird Club spotted a record 171 bird species visiting the quarry during 2010.
As part of a long-standing partnership with Tarmac, the ‘twitchers’ recorded a number of scarce and rare birds at the site, including sightings of great white egret and baird sandpiper - only the second time the bird has been spotted in Nottinghamshire.
Another partnership at the site is with The Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, which owns and manages significant areas of the restored land following donation and sale of it by Tarmac.
George Elliott, restoration manager at Tarmac, said: ‘This award is a fantastic achievement and shows that a rich variety of wildlife can thrive at well managed habitats like Lound quarry.’ He added that the award win was also about partnership with local people and would not have been possible without the dedication, passion and enthusiasm of the Lound Bird Club.
Kate Aldridge, the BTO’s Business Bird Challenge organizer commented: ‘The number of birds using a site is a result of the number of well maintained habitats present and is a great indication of the site’s health and the effort that is being put into the managing it. Everyone at Lound quarry who is involved in the provision of such superb habitats and identifying the birds using them, should be very proud of their achievements.
TARMAC’s Lound quarry in Nottinghamshire has landed a first place in the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) EDF Energy Business Bird Challenge. The prestigious national award scheme recognizes leading business sites for conservation, creating habitats for birds, and community engagement.
The 600ha sand and gravel quarry complex near Retford secured first place in the Birds Category for Quarry Sites after local birdwatchers from Lound Bird Club spotted a record 171 bird species visiting the quarry during 2010.
As part of a long-standing partnership with Tarmac, the ‘twitchers’ recorded a number of scarce and rare birds at the site, including sightings of great white egret and baird sandpiper - only the second time the bird has been spotted in Nottinghamshire.
Another partnership at the site is with The Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, which owns and manages significant areas of the restored land following donation and sale of it by Tarmac.
George Elliott, restoration manager at Tarmac, said: ‘This award is a fantastic achievement and shows that a rich variety of wildlife can thrive at well managed habitats like Lound quarry.’ He added that the award win was also about partnership with local people and would not have been possible without the dedication, passion and enthusiasm of the Lound Bird Club.
Kate Aldridge, the BTO’s Business Bird Challenge organizer commented: ‘The number of birds using a site is a result of the number of well maintained habitats present and is a great indication of the site’s health and the effort that is being put into the managing it. Everyone at Lound quarry who is involved in the provision of such superb habitats and identifying the birds using them, should be very proud of their achievements.
