Ravens Make a Home on Lincolnshire’s Belmont Mast

A raven family has made an unconventional choice for their nesting location, selecting the top of the Belmont TV and radio mast in Lincolnshire. Located between Market Rasen and Louth, the birds have constructed their nest roughly 300ft up the 1,154ft structure, a crucial broadcasting tool for Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire. Arqiva, the owner of the mast, has worked in unison with the RSPB to ensure the ravens were not disrupted during maintenance. RSPB’s Mark Thomas stated that it’s atypical to find ravens in the eastern region, as they usually inhabit the west of the UK. Yet, over the past quarter-century, these avian species have gradually extended eastward, with approximately 20 breeding pairs currently residing in Lincolnshire. Given the lack of natural crags or large trees, the ravens have displayed adaptability by utilising tall human-made structures like the Belmont mast. The ravens’ occupancy of the mast symbolises an increasing population in the area, and with the baby birds having departed the nest, it’s probable the site will be utilised again. This article was adapted from original reporting by www.bbc.com by The Lincoln Post.