Festival organisers get credit for ensuring rare birds are not disturbed and urge further safeguards for next year

Conservationists have praised T In The Park organisers for taking steps to avoid disturbance to a pair of nesting ospreys.

There had been fears in the run up to the festival that the rare birds would be scared off by the thousands of revellers who descended on the site at Strathallan Castle in Perthshire.

The ospreys became a symbol for the battle between those who wanted the event to go ahead and those opposed to it, such as the Strathallan Action Group and green charities such as the Woodland Trust and RSPB Scotland, who raised concerns about the environmental impact.

However, fears the birds, which are heavily protected, would be adversely affected appear to be unfounded.

An RSPB Scotland spokesperson said: “The ospreys were closely monitored over the weekend and both adult birds are still present at the nest site with their chicks, and behaving normally.

“The package of measures stipulated in the planning consent, which RSPB Scotland called for, including changes to the festival site layout, introduction of buffer zones around the nest and restrictions on activities including fireworks and lighting, all appear to have been successful in preventing disturbance to the birds.

“However, the event isn’t completely over yet. It’s extremely important that sensitive management of the site is maintained during the clean-up operation. When this is concluded, the festival needs to be thoroughly reviewed before it can proceed in 2016.

“We look forward to seeing how we can help to improve T in the Park and how it delivers for wildlife and nature education with local schools in the future. It is hugely welcome that organiser DFC has stated a desire to be an exemplar of environmental best practice.

“It now has ample opportunity to incorporate enhancements for wildlife, both on and off site, that compensate for the environmental footprint of holding a big event like this.”