A PAIR of rare birds spotted at the old nuclear power station in Bradwell could bring decommissioning work to a halt.
Two peregrine falcons, which are protected by law, were seen atop the recently erected crane this week, sparking fears that work could be affected if the birds choose to nest there permanently.
"We have several keen twitchers at the site and we're keeping a close eye on the two falcons," said a spokesman for Magnox, the company in charge of the decommissioning work at the power station which shut 11 years ago.
"They've recently decided to make the tower crane their new perch but as it moves continually we don't expect them to breed there, although we might expect to see them doing so on the nearby pylons.
"However, we're keeping an eye on them and if they were to nest there we could not disturb them. It's a risk we have always known on this site."
If the birds were found to be nesting at the old industrial site, their rarity would halt the current decommissioning work, which is set to be completed by 2015.
But it would not be the first time the birds of prey, which are regularly seen hunting over the Dengie marshes, have disrupted the development.
In 2008, nesting falcons cost Magnox more than a million pounds as a result of work delays.
Efforts had been made last year to deter the birds by removing bird boxes in a bid to prevent any further delays.
One employee at the power station, who wished to remain anonymous, is concerned that the pressures of a multi million-pound agreement to complete the work on time will overwhelm any obligation to the wildlife.
He said: "We have heard they are not going to be kind to the birds as it affects the management meeting their deadline, and then being able to collect a multimillion-pound bonus.
"At the moment projects are being pushed and pushed so you can see why – when so much money is involved – how the birds may end up being the losers."
However, John Sutherby, treasurer of the Bradwell Bird Observatory, has guaranteed that he and his colleagues will be keeping a watch on the falcons.
"I worked at the power station for over 30 years and have always taken a keen interest in the birds, keeping a record of their movements and helping to rescue the young chicks when they did nest at the station.
"We have been and will continue to monitor the peregrines out there. Hopefully they will try to nest on the pylons this year, and I and some of my friends will be checking it out in the coming weeks."
Peregrine falcons, which breed in April or May, have become more and more frequent visitors to urban settings with a pair now resident at the Tate Modern in London, and a group that has lived in Norwich Cathedral for more than four years.
"In these urban environments there is much more prey for the birds and so they tend to return year after year," said Erica Howe, of the East of England RSPB.
"It's their breeding season right now and if they choose to nest then there isn't a lot that can be done, the owners may just have to live with it."
