Berwick Bank could kill more birds than any other individual wind farm on the planet, according to the RSPB and conservation partners.

In a renewed plea, RSPB Scotland, the National Trust for Scotland, the Marine Conservation Society, the Scottish Seabird Centre and the Scottish Wildlife Trust have written to John Swinney urging him to stop Berwick Bank and save seabird species from being catapulted to national extinction.

The 300-turbine offshore windfarm has been consented off the East Lothian coast, near iconic seabird sites like the Bass Rock – despite forecasts that it will kill tens of thousands of seabirds in its lifetime. 

The Scottish Government’s own assessment shows Berwick Bank is predicted to kill 2,808 Guillemots, 814 Kittiwakes, 260 Gannets, 154 Razorbills, and 65 Puffins in the first year alone. 

This is on top of a seabird crisis in Scotland, with 70% of species already in decline. The much-loved birds are facing multiple threats, including unsustainable fishing, avian flu and climate change.

The Scottish Government granted consent for Berwick Bank on 31 July this year, despite an outpouring of concern about the development from charities and nature lovers.

Scottish Ministers require the developer SSE Renewables to demonstrate “sufficient” seabird compensation will be put in place. But the conservation charities argue there is no way to compensate for the unprecedented ecological devastation Berwick Bank will bring. 

They are calling for Berwick Bank to be scrapped to save seabirds and to instead focus on less damaging offshore wind farm projects.

Anne McCall, director of RSPB Scotland, said: “Berwick Bank is the deadliest windfarm for birds we are aware of anywhere on the planet. It could devastate entire colonies of seabirds, and help to wipe out some species from the face of Scotland entirely. 

“Scotland’s seabird colonies are one of our national treasures, from the Puffins of the Isle of May to the Gannets of Bass Rock. One third of all Europe’s seabirds breed in Scotland, and they need our protection now more than ever. 

“We support renewable energy, but not at any cost. We hope the First Minister and SSE Renewables will reconsider this devastating development.

“There are many offshore wind projects which would together generate more energy than Berwick Bank at a fraction of the cost to wildlife.”

Diarmid Hearns, interim director of conservation and policy at National Trust for Scotland, added: “Stopping Berwick Bank is the best way to protect the seabird colonies of St Abb’s Head National Nature Reserve and all over the East coast.

“At the National Trust for Scotland we are supportive of the drive towards renewable energy, but not at the expense of the very nature and habitats this effort is supposed to help save in the face of climate change.”

Calum Duncan, head of policy and advocacy at the Marine Conservation Society, commented: “We must address the climate and nature crises together. Developing offshore wind sites in the wrong place risks accelerating the decline of ocean wildlife, from puffins to porpoise.

“These proposals also overlap a large part of the Firth of Forth Marine Protected Area, designated for its special habitats and a unique mollusc species, the ocean quahog, which can live for centuries.

“Approving a project so poorly sited would damage marine life along the east coast of Scotland and northeast England and undermine the Scottish Government’s credibility on climate and nature leadership. The Berwick Bank proposal must clearly be reconsidered and overturned.”

Harry Huyton, CEO at the Scottish Seabird Centre, said: “Scotland’s seabird populations are globally important, and they are deeply valued by the Scottish public too.

“This year we have taken over 15,000 people to see one of the world’s largest gannet colonies on Bass Rock, and they are always devastated to hear about the threat posed to this natural wonder, and seabirds in general, by Berwick Bank. Yet these impacts are entirely unnecessary and avoidable.

“Berwick Bank is set to be located in a very special area that is prime foraging habitat for seabirds despite the availability of alternative, lower-impact sites.

“SSE and the Scottish Government need to act now - to protect both nature and the reputation of the renewable energy industry. This is why we’re calling on our supporters to once again speak up for seabirds and join us in emailing SSE and the First Minister to ask them to stop Berwick Bank.” 

Jo Pike, chief executive at the Scottish Wildlife Trust, concluded: “Berwick Bank is simply the wrong development in the wrong place. The impact this development would have on our internationally important seabirds at a time when they are already vulnerable is unjustifiable.

“This is especially true when combined with the fact that there are other options for development that would have a lesser impact on nature as well higher energy generation than Berwick Bank.

“While it is imperative that we move to more sustainable energy, this must not be to the detriment of nature. Granting of consent for this development was the wrong decision and we urge the Scottish Government to listen to the call to reconsider.”