Marchwood demolition site kestrel chicks hatch
Two kestrel chicks have hatched at a former waste plant in Marchwood, near Southampton, where demolition halted in June when a kestrel’s nest was discovered.
Hampshire County Council suspended the work the demolition contractors were doing at the waste plant in June when a kestrel’s nest containing five eggs was discovered. Two chicks have now hatched from the eggs and are reported to be doing well and already venturing out from the nest.
The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 stipulates that care must be taken not to scare away the female kestrel so the chicks and mother will be monitored closely and work on the site will not restart until they have all left.
Environment chief at the council, Councillor Mel Kendal, commented, "It is great news that the kestrel chicks have now hatched, and appear to be healthy and all doing well.”
He went on to say that the council anticipates demolition of the old incinerator to restart later in August once they have ensured that the kestrels have flown the nest and are no longer occupying the building. He said that only at that point will the remainder of the site be cleared.
