Peregrine falcon chicks reared at Torness Power Station fly the nest

Torness Power Station’s visiting pair of peregrines have had another successful year as the site celebrated a decade of environmental excellence.

More than 50 chicks have fledged from the station’s rooftop since records were first taken 25 years ago.

This year, the pair have raised another two chicks – taking the number to 55.

Peregrine falcons are the fastest creatures in the animal kingdom, reaching speeds of more than 200mph during their hunting dive.

The power station, south-east of Dunbar, provides a secure breeding environment for the creatures, away from egg thieves and with a plentiful food supply.

This year also marks 10 years since the station secured the Biodiversity Benchmark.

The accreditation, which is awarded by The Wildlife Trusts, certifies the good management of biodiversity on sites owned by businesses and is the only one of its kind in East Lothian.

Emma Price Thomas, The Wildlife Trusts’ head of corporate partnerships, said: “It’s fantastic news that peregrines at Torness Power Station have had another successful year.

“Stories like this show that, through careful management, wildlife can thrive in unlikely places.

“Retaining the Biodiversity Benchmark at Torness for 10 years is testament to [station operators] EDF’s commitment to improving their sites for wildlife.

“This certification challenges businesses to take responsibility for nature recovery through effective habitat management, surveying and sustainable use of land.

“Torness is being managed well for wildlife and we look forward to seeing even more success stories in the future.”

The site, which is due to stop generating power in 2028, supports a range of wildlife and has become a haven for some rare species.

It currently supports the only known breeding pairs of ringed plover in East Lothian, with the population up to three pairs since 2019.

A ringed plover at its nest site at Torness Power Station, with an oystercatcher in shot. Image: George Hogg

It is also Scotland’s first and only known site supporting the ivy mining bee, along with 120 other invertebrate species.

At the same time, a total of 21 species of butterfly and 187 moth species have been recorded at Torness, while 39 species of bird have been recorded breeding at Torness over the last 10 years.

In addition to the ringed plover and the peregrine, yellow wagtails breed on site most years, a rare species in East Lothian.

Finally, areas disturbed by construction of the station in the 1980s now support a diverse range of plants, including locally uncommon yellow bartsia, pyramidal orchid and common broomrape.

Clare Galloway, who works in the station’s environmental safety group, said: “We actively manage the land around the power station to make sure it is as welcoming to as diverse a range of flora and fauna as possible.

“As well as roping off areas of the car park to support breeding birds, we plant specific shrubs and plants to give a variety of species the best chance of flourishing possible.

“It is always a delight to make new discoveries when we carry out our monitoring and it just goes to show that nature and industry can co-exist if a sustainable approach is taken.”