06 March 2025

Porthos site ready for breeding season

The breeding season has started again, also in the port of Rotterdam. As many bird species live here, this has an impact on the work in the area – and therefore also on Porthos’ contractors. Whereas in the port the focus is often on keeping areas free of nesting birds, the opposite applies to parts of the Maasvlakte: machines and workers make way for breeding birds.

Protection of seagull colonies
The Port of Rotterdam Authority plays a crucial role in the ecological management of the port, spearheading sustainability, nature conservation and biodiversity. Compliance with measures around the breeding season is an important part of this.

Jan Putters of the Port of Rotterdam Authority explains: ‘The population of herring gulls and lesser black-backed gulls is declining. These species breed on Port Authority land, such as along Markweg, where part of the Porthos land pipeline is also being constructed. To allow these colonies to nest in peace, this area is being cleared of works. Together with other ports, we drew up the Meeuwenvisie Zuidwestelijke Delta (Gull Vision Southwest Delta) and made agreements on the protection of breeding gulls on industrial sites. In Europoort and at the Maasvlakte, we are actively pursuing suitable breeding sites. If we can demonstrate that there is sufficient suitable nesting habitat, we may keep certain sites elsewhere in the port brood-free.’

Early start of breeding season
Officially, the breeding season starts on 1 March, but this year the first signs of nesting behaviour were already visible earlier. Putters: ‘From mid-February, we observe whether the birds show nesting behaviour. As soon as that is the case, it is time to keep certain areas clear or, on the contrary, fence off and provide nesting opportunities.’

Ecology and legislation
The protection of nesting areas is laid down in nature conservation legislation, part of the Environment Act. Porthos monitors that contractors within the project also follow these rules. Each contractor has therefore engaged an ecologist to monitor compliance with legislation and nature protection.

As for the Porthos works along Markweg and its surroundings, Denys employees worked hard to clear the construction site in time and leave it tidy for the breeding birds – and they succeeded well.