The East Port in Aalborg is not only the focal point of Port of Aalborg’s ambitious strategy to create growth and jobs. In recent years, Denmark’s largest inland port has initiated several nature-promoting projects to beautify the port area and support biodiversity. Now, a new project to attract peregrine falcon and kestrel to the site is underway.
If all goes according to plan, Port of Aalborg will soon be welcoming new residents to the East Port. The port has set up several nesting boxes for kestrels and peregrine falcons. The initiative is one of many projects aiming to promote nature in the port areas of eastern Aalborg.
– Nature beautification and biodiversity are important focal areas in our efforts to work more holistically with sustainability. If we successfully attract both the kestrel and the less widespread peregrine falcon, it will contribute positively to the wildlife and delight of all who work in and visit the area, says Brian Dalby Rasmussen, Engineer, Environment & Port Facilities at Port of Aalborg.
The first nesting boxes have been installed at the top of several 40-metre-high light poles, where one or more pairs of falcons can settle and breed. In addition to promoting the birds’ population, the initiative will also serve as a natural control of gulls, which continue to challenge daily port activities.
– An increasing number of gulls have settled at the East Harbour in recent years, multiplying so rapidly that it challenges our port activities. We’re already spending many person-hours removing gull nests and debris from the port areas, explains Brian Dalby Rasmussen, elaborating:
– We have long speculated on how to naturally reduce the gull population whilst contributing positively to the area’s biodiversity. And here we know several European cities have set up falconry boxes and successfully attracted wild peregrine falcons. We hope to have the same success here.
The East Port is ideal for nature-promoting activities
To ensure the best possible outcome of the nesting boxes, Port of Aalborg has teamed up with several experts throughout the project, including Anton Thøger Larsen, an ornithologist and member of the DOF BirdLife in North Jutland. He was previously involved when a pair of peregrine falcons began breeding at the North Jutland Power Station between 2018 and 2021.
He is pleased that Port of Aalborg is now attempting to bring the bird of prey back to North Jutland, even though its natural breeding sites are found far away at Møns and Stevns Klint and on the island of Bornholm.
– There is a general need for more peregrine falcon breeding grounds. They like to breed at height and on rocky sides. A tall light pole, however, can easily imitate a natural nesting site, and peregrine falcons thrive in port areas. So, the chances of them settling at the Port of Aalborg are evidently very high, as we have already seen in Aarhus and Vejle, he says, elaborating:
– In general, it is wonderful when companies launch initiatives like these. Port of Aalborg has several significant port areas that provide a wealth of opportunities to support wildlife and biodiversity. If you have the chance to do something like this, it is always our clear recommendation to do it, says Anton Thøger Larsen.
When the new residents have hopefully moved in, Port of Aalborg will evaluate whether more nesting boxes should be set up.
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