Two new kittiwake hotels completed offshore Lowestoft

Work has been completed off South Beach to construct two new artificial nesting structures for "vulnerable seabirds" after energy giant Ørsted developed the first nearshore kittiwake ‘hotels’.

Kittiwakes nesting on buildings in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

The industry first works were carried out as part of a compensation scheme associated with the Hornsea Three wind farm - which will comprise up to 231 offshore wind turbines about 120km off the Norfolk coast and is expected to be commissioned in 2027.

The ANS off South Beach in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

After Ørsted commissioned three nearshore artificial nesting structures (ANS) specially designed to house black-legged kittiwakes off the East Suffolk coastline, it has seen two new structures unveiled "one kilometre from the shoreline of South Beach in Lowestoft", between the town's two piers, and one close to the Minsmere Nature Reserve.

The ANS off South Beach in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

With the innovative designs developed by a team of ornithologists, architects, ecologists and engineers, the structures have narrow ledges and vertical sides to mimic the cliffs on which the kittiwakes normally nest.

Work to install the ANS off South Beach in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Each ANS comprises an octagonal topside with capacity for around 500 breeding pairs of kittiwake supported above the water on a single monopile.

Work to transport the ANS to South Beach in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Individual nesting spaces are fitted with a sliding Perspex panel which will allow researchers to view the kittiwake from inside the structures without the birds being able to see them.

Drone footage underside of ANS1. Picture: R7M (Image: R7M)

Two cameras have been installed on each ANS, with Ørsted continuing to monitor the existing colonies in Lowestoft and Sizewell for the lifetime of the ANS.

A close up of the nesting ledges. Picture: NEUBAU (Image: NEUBAU)

It comes after a unique new 'hotel' was unveiled in March - for around 430 pairs of seabirds - as Vattenfall and ScottishPower Renewables completed construction of kittiwake nesting structures in the port of Lowestoft.

The kittiwake hotels at the port of Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Ørsted also provided £50,000 of funding to the Lowestoft Kittiwake Partnership.

Close up inside of the nesting ledges. Picture: NEUBAU (Image: NEUBAU)

Eleni Antoniou, Environmental Manager at Ørsted, said: "The provision of these structures will provide a safe, nesting space.

Drone footage of the Orsted Artificial Nesting Structures in Lowestoft. Picture: R7M (Image: R7M)

"This is a first of its kind project that required a great deal of collaborative work.

Orsted Artificial Nesting Structure. Picture: R7M (Image: R7M)

"We have already had our first kittiwake visitor to the structures and look forward to seeing our first long-term residents."

Kittiwakes nesting in Lowestoft. Picture: Dick Houghton (Image: Dick Houghton)

Kittiwakes nesting previously in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)