Protected birds at risk due to Earystane Wind Farm

Thu, 19 Oct 2023

Following Manx Utilities Authority (MUA) announcing that the Earystane Scard site was selected to be the host of the wind turbines there has been much concern and distain throughout the southern community.

Energy FM spoke to John Corteen who is licensed to hold owls and raptors, including red-listed hen harriers, and is the chosen contact for rescuing and rehabilitating these birds.

With John’s wealth of knowledge on these protected birds there isn’t anyone better to talk to regarding the potential risk the Wind Farm could bring to these birds habitats.

Habitats

John highlighted the concerns he has regarding the endangered birds loss of habitat if the proposed wind farms are built: “They’ve been so successful because of what is there. Obviously there is a lot of heath, a lot of small birds, prey items. There are other birds as well that are on the watch list.

“It’s well known that we have good wildlife there. My biggest concern is the process of this is happening. We had the SODAR device installed only a few weeks back.”

Corteen wrote to DEFA about his concerns of the device due to the Hunting Long Eared Owls that use Earystane as their habitat.

“An owls hearing is ten times better than a humans ear. For them to have to put up with a high pitched screeching every two seconds just doesn’t seem appropriate.”

Local business threat

Along with caring for the protected birds, John and his wife Tina also run holiday cottages at their home, with the main selling point being that of undisturbed natural beauty and wildlife.

He explained that it would be “catastrophic” for the business and many of the guests have said they wouldn’t return if the wind farm is progressed.

John has further concerns on the biodiversity risks the project would bring, including the amount of concrete that would be needed for the foundations of the turbines, saying:

“We’ve got the run off that could go into the Silverburn, the Scard which is the Colby River, a soak away that could have a wide reach and effect of concrete. We know how bad that is for the environment.”

The Council of Ministers set the Manx Utilities Authority the overly ambitious political target of delivering a £40 million taxpayer-funded windfarm by 2026. Only public land was considered and private investment has so far been ruled out.

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