Twenty-three Merlin chicks have successfully fledged from nests around the turbines at Ray Wind Farm, Northumberland, since it started generating electricity in 2017.

The Merlin, also known as the Falco columbarius, is Britain's smallest bird of prey with an estimated population of around 1,000 pairs in the UK.

Vattenfall, owner and operator of the wind farm, were aware of the presence of Merlin during the development phase and took care to ensure the birds were not disturbed.

As part of the Habitat Management Plan, restoration work was done to improve sensitive habitats such as the blanket bog.

The surrounding area was re-wetted, and efforts were made to encourage the regrowth of heather, improving biodiversity and providing a food source for various birds of conservation concern.

Robin Cox, Environmental Specialist at Vattenfall said: “We are committed to making sure that renewables play their part not only producing fossil fuel free energy, but also through our work to protect our natural environment. It's great to see another five Merlin chicks fledged at Ray this year. I’d like to thank the licensed ringers from Northumbria Ringing Group (NRG) who continue to visit the site annually to check and ring the birds."

Paul Galloway from NRG said: "Merlin have attempted to breed on Ray Wind Farm every year since 2017, and with fledged young recorded in all but one of those years it is one of our most successful sites. We are particularly grateful to Vattenfall, along with other like-minded landowners, for their collaboration and ongoing support with monitoring efforts."