A chemicalS company is taking steps to help wild birds on one of its sites.

Huntsman Petrochemicals has been carrying out improvements to ponds on its brinefields near Seal Sands, Teesside, during the past year.

The work, creating and improving islands in the ponds, has been done to create breeding sites.

Huntsman has been helped by ecologists from the Industry Nature Conservation Association (Inca), which is based in Wilton, Teesside, and works with a number of Tees Valley businesses on wildlife projects.

The latest scheme was prompted by drainage that lowered the water level in one of the brinefield ponds.

Ray Malcolm, Huntsman Petrochemicals first line manager for brinefields and cavities, said: "When the water level dropped, four small islands were exposed.

"It seemed like an opportunity to continue our work to provide habitats for birds."

Under the scheme, the man-made islands will be covered in gravel, which birds such as ringed plover and little ringed plover can dig out for scrapes, in which they can nest. It is also hoped to attract common tern and oyster catchers."

Huntsman has also created an island in a nearby pond for the same reason.

Inca ecologist Jonathan Gibson said: "These islands are part of an ongoing project to provide habitats for the birds that already use the estuary area."

A year ago, the company carried out similar work on a pond at a nearby brinefield, near Greatham Creek, for common terns.

Mr Gibson said: "That project worked and terns did use the island. We hope the new islands will be as successful."

* Huntsman Tioxide, part of the same group as Huntsman Petrochemicals, is taking part in the Business Bird Challenge, run by the British Trust for Ornithology.

Held every two years, the competition involves about 90 industrial sites across the UK, all of which are challenged to demonstrate their commitment to habitat creation and preservation.

Huntsman Tioxide has entered its Greatham Works, near Hartlepool, not far from the brinefields.

Published: 28/03/2006