Aberavon’s Aquasplash water park could be forced to delay it’s long-awaited opening after contractors found a pair of herring gulls nesting on one of the water features.
The rare birds have built a nest on the ‘tipping bucket’ feature, which contains a large volume of rainwater.
When the bucket reaches a certain volume, it automatically tips, but this would potentially wash the nest away.
As a result, no further work is allowed to proceed until the nesting pair have vacated the nest.
“The contractors have showed true professionalism in understanding their obligation to the law and to the gulls,” commented spokesperson for Neath Port Talbot County Council.
“We shall now continue monitoring the situation but will also take steps to prevent this from happening again in the future.”
It was hoped that the Aquasplash, situated on Aberavon Beach, would open later this month however it is now prevented from doing so under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981).
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Herring gulls currently fall into the ‘red list’ which means that they are considered to be in urgent need of protection along with other rare bird species such as hen harriers and capercaillie.
They have dropped in number by an alarming 53 per cent since number recordings began in 1969.
Breeding pairs has declined from 750,000 pairs in 1993 to 378,000 pairs according to the most recent figures.
Despite an increase in inland nesting sites, they continue to decline in numbers. One of the main reasons in the lack of food which is currently available to them in Coastal regions.
“Although the location of this Herring Gull nest is unfortunate, it’s good to see them nesting locally,” added the council spokesperson.
“Naturally any human interference or activity around the t could result in disturbance and subsequent abandonment of the nest so there will now be continuous monitoring of the situation to enable the facility to open as soon as practically and lawfully possible.”
Meanwhile the council has liaised with Natural Resources Wales which has confirmed its support for the council’s approach.
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