Iconic monument glows pink in support of solar-powered flamingos
WWT Washington Wetland Centre is giving North East England’s iconic Penshaw Monument a pink flamingo makeover as part of a bid to create Europe’s first solar-powered flamingo house.
The display marks tomorrow being the deadline for public votes for projects to deserve funding from an M&S Energy Fund grant. WWT are bidding to make £12,000 of improvements to its Chilean flamingos’ house, including installing Solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels, UV lighting and heat lamps.
The improved facilities for Washington’s Chilean flamingo flock would help to provide the best hatching and breeding conditions to rear “flaminglings” - as flamingos’ fluffy chicks are affectionately known locally. Globally, the Chilean flamingo is designated as “Near Threatened” because its global population of 300,000 is markedly declining. Causes include hunting, disturbance and the vulnerability of its wetland habitat to pollution.
Despite the fog, last night the glow from the National Trust’s Penshaw Monument lit up the skies and, with support from Sunderland City Council, it’s expected to wow residents again tonight. But with hours to go until the midnight deadline, crucial public votes are still needed for the plans to top the Tyne and Wear category and secure the cash.
WWT Washington Wetland Centre’s Leanne McCormella said:
“Turning Penshaw Monument pink is a great way of being part of the local community and is definitely something different to help our bid stand out. Penshaw is a landmark that is very close to the area’s heart. We love the view of it from the wetlands and we couldn’t be more excited to see it do something so special for us. The project will help create optimum breeding conditions for our birds and the renewable energy generated will reduce carbon emissions and save our charity money.
“We can’t win without public votes and we’re urging anyone who loves wildlife to take just a couple of minutes to go online and support us. We would be so grateful to receive this vital boost for our much-loved and important Chilean flamingo flock.”
Also working hard to boost the voting tally are project partners Enviro UK Consultants Limited and renewable energy company ARPower.
Sharon Lashley from Enviro UK Consultants Limited said:
“As an active WWT member we are so very proud and excited to be part of this very unique Solar PV project. Installing solar panels onto the flamingo house alongside UV lighting and heat lamps is such an amazing way to encourage and support the flamingo breeding programme at WWT Washington.”
Washington-based ARPower’s director Maria Dunville said:
“We see a lot of interesting projects with Solar, but in my six years working within the industry this has got to be one of the most unique. The opportunity to help create life is amazing - how special is that? It’s a fabulous opportunity to give back and boost the economy in Washington. Growing up here, I am very invested in this project succeeding!”
WWT’s captive flamingos are part of WWT’s wider conservation work to protect these iconic wetland birds. Our work with the flamingos continues to help the animals in the wild such as the marking techniques developed at WWT Slimbridge and the creation of artificial nest mounds to encourage breeding.
Visit the M&S Energy Fund to vote for us by midnight tonight!
