Sand martin mitigation work
In late winter 2009 Translink began project work in the North West to ensure the continued operational safety of the railway. A section of track that runs close to Lough Foyle was being compromised due to the continued erosion of the bank from storm conditions and high tides. Essential sea defence work was recommended and agreed, although this would result in the loss of a sand martin nesting site.
Working with the contractors on site, in consultation with the Biodiversity Officer and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), an artificial sand bank was built from the spoil resulting from the sea defence work. The bank was created in close proximity to the lost nesting site using only the materials excavated from the site works. The mitigation work cost was kept to a minimum as the machinery was already on site and the material to create it was also to hand.
A specification for the mound construct was provided to the operator by the consultants which has resulted in a structure approximately 35m in length and 2m in height at it’s front face, which faces the lough. The siting, profile and materials of the mound seem right although there may be an issue with stability. We endeavoured to counteract this by ensuring the material was compacted during construction.
The only thing that remains for it to be a success is for it to be occupied by sand martins! The site will be monitored over the coming years – if we’re very lucky, sand martins will colonise the site in spring 2010 but they may be more cautious and see how the site weathers. We're hoping to be able to report a happy ending to the story for all in the future.