DECOMMISSIONING work at a nuclear power station has been disrupted after peregrine falcons nested on one of the reactors.
The endangered birds of prey had been spotted at Bradwell Power Station two weeks ago, as reported by the Chronicle, but now a nest has been discovered on the roof of the second reactor building, temporarily bringing work to a halt on part of the multi-million pound project.
"We called in an independent expert as soon as the discovery was made and we've quickly put protection measures in place, ensuring we don't work too close or make noise that will disturb them," said the site director Mike Gull.
"We had planned to work on both reactors concurrently, but it is right to pause work while the falcons are nesting.
"Instead, we will change our plans and put all our efforts into progressing work on the neighbouring reactor, in order to reduce the overall schedule and cost impact on the decommissioning programme.
"Checks have shown that we can operate the crane and progress work without distressing our new residents, but we'll be keeping a close eye to ensure they're safe."
It is believed the eggs were first discovered on Wednesday, April 10, by a station employee before a nesting specialist was called in to verify the situation early this week.
John Sutherby, treasurer of the Bradwell Bird Observatory and an ex-employee at the nuclear power station, has been keeping an eye on the birds, along with other keen twitchers in the Dengie area.
"It's certainly nice to have them nesting again and I hope this time it will be successful. It takes about a month for the eggs to incubate and then at least a further month for the chicks to fledge," he said.
"Peregrines don't actually make a proper nest, they prefer to find a ledge and the amount of fine gravel on top of the reactor buildings actually makes a handy place to do this."
The pair of falcons, which are protected by law, were first seen atop the 55m high crane erected at the site a fortnight ago, sparking fears that work would be forced to stop for the second time in the decommissioning process.
In 2008 nesting falcons cost site owners Magnox more than a million pounds as a result of delays as legislation protecting the rare species prevented work from carrying on.
Steve McNitt, the site's safety and environment manager, added: "It's difficult to know how long the falcons will stay.
"We are hoping for a successful brood and are planning on having them around through the summer."
The Chronicle has used photographs from previous years to illustrate this story because the authorities do not want the birds to be disturbed.
