Scotland's T In The Park Festival has a new home for 2015 but the old Spring residents aren't excited for them to be there: Organizers have an unusual issue in dealing with the protected ospreys that enjoy nesting in the area of Strathallan Castle. Promoters have ensured fans that the festival will go forward, and the birds will be able to nest accordingly (from NME).
"We can confirm that ospreys have returned to Strathallan, but the expert opinion of our ornithologist is that they have not yet nested," said a spokesperson for DF Concerts. "The RSPB believes that the previous nest is active and as such, close monitoring via the cherry picker has been removed and we will continue to liaise with the relevant organizations to ensure the protection of the birds."
It may sound silly, but encouraging the nesting of endangered and protected bird species is a big deal. DF Concerts had attempted to dissuade ospreys from returning to their old nests by setting up a cherry picker, flags and balloons. Nonetheless, video evidence suggests that the ospreys are coming back to the old nests.
Although the promoters are convinced that the event will go forward as planned, the planning application for the festival hasn't been approved yet, leaving some degree of ambiguity remaining (a decision is due in May, regardless of the ornithological details).
Last year was the 21st rendition of T In The Park and the last to be held at Balado in Kinross. Organizers moved the event as a result of the Forties gas pipeline system that ran underneath the field that had previously held the event. This year's event was moved to Strathallan Castle, and thus far announced acts include The Libertines, Avicii, Sam Smith and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds.
