NID4BirdLIFE

Description of the project 

The NID4BirdLIFE project is a 6.5-year initiative co-financed by the LIFE Programme, the European Union's funding instrument for environment and climate action. The project aims to address the critical decline of the black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) population by creating a durable breeding stronghold on the Princess Elisabeth Energy Island. This will be achieved through the integration of Nature-Inclusive Design (NID) elements into the island's wave walls. 

The Princess Elisabeth Island, located off Belgium’s North Sea coast, will be the world's first energy island. It will serve as an electricity hub, bundling together the cables of the surrounding offshore wind farms in order to bring the power generated to land. It will also act as a landing point for the interconnectors between Belgium and other European countries. For its construction, an innovative approach which included 'nature-inclusive design' (NID) was embraced. In collaboration with experts in nature conservation, marine restoration and ecology, Elia developed specific measures to enhance biodiversity and support marine life around the island. For a comprehensive overview of NID, discover our brochure. 

NID4BirdLIFE

An EU contribution of €3.567 million has been allocated to the NID4BirdLIFE project, which focuses on a specific NID measure for the black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla). This species is listed as Endangered in the North Sea on the European Red List of Birds and is currently further declining partly due to a lack of nesting opportunities. Breeding ledges, will be installed to replicate the natural layout of cliffs and therefore provide nesting opportunities for these birds in the supratidal zone (above the tide). NID4BirdLife plans to attach several rows of these breeding ledges to the island's outer storm walls. 

The project will be carried out by a consortium of partners consisting of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS), the Research Institute for Nature and Forest Flanders (INBO), the Renewables Grid Initiative (RGI) and Elia.

Technological progress of the Energy Island and anticipated effects of the project

The energy island's size makes it possible to roll out NID elements on a large scale. It is estimated that at least 250 to 1,000 breeding pairs of black-legged kittiwakes will be nesting on the installed ledges by 2030, the end of the NID4BirdLIFE project. Over time, a stable colony of black-legged kittiwakes may develop, potentially reaching over 5,000 breeding pairs by 2050. This would represent a significant benefit for the population, as no breeding pairs of Rissa tridactyla currently exist in the Belgian part of the North Sea.  Creating favourable breeding opportunities could provide a vital boost to this vulnerable species in the North Sea region. As a result of NID4BirdLIFE, the total black-legged kittiwake population across the European Union is expected to increase by 1.0%. Moreover, nesting behaviour and breeding success will be closely monitored using cameras installed on the breeding ledges.

Description of the citizen science element of the project

Within the project, a dedicated online tool will be created to engage citizens in scientific observation. This platform will enable the public to contribute by counting birds, reporting specific behaviours, and participating in other data collection activities, fostering citizen science and community involvement. 

The following parameters will be included in the tool for monitoring and reporting (non-exhaustive list)

• Number of nests in use
• Number of young per nest
• Number of adults per nest
• Behaviour of adult birds (courtship, breeding, feeding, etc.)
• Species nesting

Existing tools (such as AI tools using image recognition) will be used and expanded for this purpose. This citizen science web platform will be publicly available on the INBO’s website. The development of the specific tool for the NID4BirdLIFE project will allow this solution to be deployed for future citizen science.

Nature-inclusive design 

In 2022, Elia collaborated with experts in nature conservation and marine environment from public and private institutions, universities, consultancies and non-governmental organisations to ensure the Princess Elisabeth Island project positively impacts biodiversity and enriches marine life. The Island’s design and functionality will contribute to achieving European climate and biodiversity goals. Measures to enhance biodiversity extend both above and below the waterline. Underwater measures include relief panels for smaller marine organisms, complex scour protection, and structures designed to support the European flat oyster.  Additional measures can be found here.

Timeline of the project

• 2024–2026: Onshore construction of the caissons, i.e. the concrete blocks making up the foundations of Princess Elisabeth Island, incorporating parts of the NID elements 
• 2025–2026: Offshore installation of parts of the NID elements 
• From 2026: 
  
  • Data analysis, integration and coordination of monitoring
  • Testing and optimisation of the monitoring protocol 
  • Collection and analysis of radar data
  • Collection and analysis of camera data
  • Development of the citizen science platform and data collection
  • Socio-economic monitoring of the project