Notice of Review 11-00044 Dingwall Highland

PROPOSED 50kW WIND TURBINE
DINGWALL HIGHLAND MART
A REVIEW OF ORNITHOLOGICAL ISSUES
AND CONSTRAINTS
A CONFIDENTIAL REPORT TO
LOCOGEN LTD
Highland Ornithology Ltd
October 2010

PROPOSED 50kW WIND TURBINE:
DINGWALL HIGHLAND MART
A REVIEW OF ORNITHOLOGICAL ISSUES
AND CONSTRAINTS
Colin Crooke
Highland Ornithology Ltd
6 George Street
Avoch
Ross-shire
IV9 8PU
A confidential report to:
Locogen Ltd
11 Maritime Street
Edinburgh
EH6 6SB
On behalf of:
The Dingwall Highland Mart
October 2010

CONTENTS Page No.
1. Introduction …………………………………………………….. 1
2. Data search and consultation ........................................................ 2
3. Details of site visit and general description of the turbine site area 3
4. Ornithological review ................................................................... 4
Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus .............................................. 4
Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus................................. 5
Greylag Goose Anser anser ...................................................... 7
Osprey Pandion haliaetus ........................................................ 8
Red Kite Milvus milvus ............................................................ 9
5. Potential mitigation measures ...................................................... 11
5.1 Measures relating to the migration and winter flight movements
of Whooper Swans, Pink-footed and Greylag Geese ......... 11
5.2 Measures relating to Red Kite ............................................. 11
References
List of Figures:
Figure 1. Site layout, turbine location and favoured geese feeding areas.

1. Introduction
The Dingwall Highland Mart are proposing to site a single 50kW wind turbine
on a 35m tower, with a three blade turbine and a rotor diameter of 19.2m. The
location of the proposed turbine is shown in Figure 1. Location of proposed
50kW wind turbine Dingwall Highland Mart. The site location is on land
owned by the Dingwall Highland Mart consisting of agricultural land above the
cattle market buildings to the south west of the town of Dingwall.
The project is being taken forward by Locogen Ltd an Edinburgh based
company and early discussion with Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) have been
undertaken in connection with potential environmental impacts.
SNH have expressed concerns about the development in relation to the turbine
location and its proximity to the Cromarty Firth Special Protection Area (SPA),
and potential impacts on the qualifying interest of the site. SNH have
particularly expressed concerns in relation to a number of species, including
Osprey and Greylag Goose. Geese in particular are known to feed on land in
the vicinity of the Dingwall Highland Mart and SNH have requested an
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in relation to the ornithological
interests and the proposed development and have indicated a need for breeding
bird surveys and a programme of flight activity survey (vantage point watches)
in line with those required for large scale wind farm developments.
Such a programme of survey would clearly render the development
uneconomic given that only a single 50kW wind turbine has been proposed
(NB. most wind farms include proposals for multiple numbers of 2.5MW wind
turbines).
Locogen Ltd have requested that Highland Ornithology Ltd undertake a
desktop review of the potential ornithological issues and constraints as part of
the assessment procedures and as a basis for further discussion with SNH and
other statutory consultees.
This report details the findings of a site visit, a data search and a detailed
review of the known ornithological interest both within and adjacent to the
proposed turbine location, in line with SNH’s guidance in relation to onshore
wind farm developments. It additionally identifies potential issues and
constraints and where appropriate mitigation measures have been identified
and proposed.
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2. Data search and consultation
The data search was restricted to data held by Highland Ornithology Ltd and
the Highland Raptor Study Group. Informal consultation was also undertaken
with Brian Etheridge (RSPB Red Kite Project Manager) regarding raptor
issues, but no formal consultation at this stage was undertaken with RSPB.
Information regarding the qualifying interest of the SPA was taken directly
from the site description (see Appendix 1. The Cromarty Firth SPA site
description). Additional sources of information include the Highland Bird
Report (published annually). Information in relation to Osprey has been
provided by the Highland Foundation for Wildlife (Roy Dennis & Colin
Crooke).
In addition, information in relation to geese and swans was sought from Mr
Kenneth MacKenzie who owns and farms the land and site of the proposed
turbine location.
Additional sources of data include the Highland Bird Report (published
annually on behalf of the Scottish Ornithologists Club) and the Wetland Bird
Survey (WeBs) annual wader and wildfowl counts for the Inner Moray Firth
(BTO, WWT, RSPB, JNCC).
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3. Details of site visit and general description of the turbine site area
A site visit was undertaken on 10 October 2010 and the following points are
considered relevant:
The proposed turbine location is set in farmland, consisting of a mosaic of
grass fields which are utilised as grazing for sheep and cattle (NB. all
fields within the site boundary area are grass and used as grazing for sheep
and cattle).
There is little in the way of arable land within the immediate turbine
location area (NB. only one stubble field was present within c.0.75km
radius of the turbine location).
Woodland is scarce and consists of a narrow mature strip of conifers
(shelter belt) located 0.6km to the south west), a mixed broadleaved shelter
belt (mid-term) located 0.25km to the south east and a tiny area of young
mixed conifers and broadleaves (Sitka spruce, hybrid larch and sycamore)
located approximately 0.1km to the north west.
Hedgerows are virtually absent and most field boundaries comprise barbed
wire fences only.
No areas of semi-natural habitat are present within a 0.5km radius of the
turbine location (NB. only a couple of small patches of woodland are
present within a 1km radius).
The proposed turbine location is within a heavily grazed field which has
no potential to support a breeding bird interest (unsuitable for lowland
breeding waders and unlikely to support even Skylark).
All ornithological interest will largely relate to birds over-flying the site
area or feeding within the fields adjacent to the turbine location.
The turbine location is on an exposed and prominent hilltop and would be
highly visible in the landscape.
A major electricity pylon transmission line (north-south alignment) is
located to the west and within 200m of the proposed turbine location. A
second identical electricity pylon transmission line is located further west
approximately 0.8km from the proposed turbine location. These two
transmission lines only have a separation distance of approximately 0.6km
and are extremely prominent in the landscape. The nearest tower to the
proposed turbine location is within 200m.
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4. Ornithological review
A list of key (target) species has been identified and assessed as part of this
desktop review and largely reflects what information is currently available and
what could potentially be present given the site location and habitats available.
Key species are generally those of high sensitivity and includes species listed
on Annex 1 of the EU Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds
(79/409/EEC) for which the UK is committed to taking special conservation
measures concerning their protection and habitat, and a number of species
which are listed on Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981)
which are specially protected by law, including those as part of the qualifying
interest of the Cromarty Firth SPA, and which are known to occur (or
potentially occur) either within the area outlined for development or within the
relevant distances as identified by SNH in their ornithological guidance
relating to onshore wind farms (2005).
This level of information has been extended to include red and amber list
species (high and medium conservation concern as listed in Birds of
Conservation Concern 3 (2009)), where they potentially occur within the area
outlined for development.
The level of information varies greatly for individual species, from very good
for species such as Red Kite and Osprey, and relatively poor for species such
as Skylark.
These species can collectively be termed key species and are indicative of the
ornithological importance of the area in general and are additionally important
in terms of assessing potential impacts of the development.
The data search, site visit and ornithological review has identified that the
proposed turbine location has little or no interest in terms of providing suitable
habitat for breeding birds. The review has, however, identified five species
which are worthy of detailed assessment. These key species are as follows:
Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus
Annex 1 and Schedule 1.
UK wintering population 6,920 (birds).
Issues relate to birds over-flying the site area and to collision risk during
both spring and autumn migration periods, and throughout the winter
months. The Cromarty Firth SPA supports a population of European
importance (site qualifies under 4.1 of the Directive) (see Appendix 1.1).
In addition, a number of other locations within the surrounding area
support Whooper Swans (including Loch Eye in Easter Ross which is also
classified as SPA), and birds regularly move between the sites and
4

frequently feed in agricultural fields within the area in general. The spring
migration period covers March to April, with most birds generally flown
northwards (to Iceland) by early May. Returning birds arrive in September
and throughout October into early November.
There is no history of Whooper Swans utilising the fields around the
proposed turbine location. Whooper Swans generally select low lying
fields (valley bottom sites), flat land generally arable (mainly stubble
fields) or flat open areas of waterlogged pasture. They avoid exposed
hilltop sites.
All potential issues in relation to this species therefore relate to birds overflying
the site area and collision risk. Whooper Swan flight lines generally
follow the valleys and avoid high ground. Whooper Swans are regularly
observed flying up/down the alignment of the River Conon and to a lesser
extent Strathpeffer.
There is no evidence or history of Whooper Swans over-flying the
proposed turbine location area and is no doubt a reflection of topography.
Importantly, the two electricity pylon transmission lines which cross the
hilltop location immediately north west of the turbine location could
potentially act as a barrier, but more importantly there is no history of
Whooper Swans colliding with overhead wires at this location, suggesting
that they do not over-fly the area in general (NB. significant mortalities of
Whooper Swans do occur where overhead wires cross important flyways
and feeding areas, e.g. in low-lying fields at Marybank in the Conon valley
where bird strikes involving Whooper Swans are frequently recorded).
Potential adverse impacts on Whooper Swan are therefore predicted as
negligible.
Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus
UK wintering population 241,000 (birds).
Issues relate to birds over-flying the site area and to collision risk during
both spring and autumn migration periods (and to a much lesser extent
during the winter period). The Cromarty Firth lies within the migration
route of Pink-footed Geese which breed in Iceland and/or in Greenland,
but overwinter in the UK, and is utilised as a staging post during the
migration period. The numbers are such that a significant proportion of
the population is involved. The geese utilise the sheltered bays within the
Firth for roosting (and feeding) and additionally utilise the surrounding
agricultural land as further important feeding habitat. The numbers of
geese utilising the Firth and surrounding land are very large, but difficult
to estimate due to the high turnover of birds, but internationally important
numbers are involved. The numbers of Pink-footed Geese which
5

overwinter are relatively small by comparison, but are considered to be
increasing. The spring migration period is from late March to early May
(generally peaking in April) and several thousand can be present at any
one time. The autumn migration period is throughout September and
October (early November) and huge arrivals are not uncommon, although
generally not as spectacular as the spring passage. Given the location and
proximity of the site area to the Cromarty Firth, it is likely that Pink-footed
Geese will over-fly the potential turbine location. However, experience
shows that when migrating they are flying at altitude well in excess of
heights where collision risk could occur.
Most issues will relate to Pink-footed Geese using the Inner Cromarty
Firth area as a staging post on migration in spring and returning birds in
the autumn which choose to overwinter in the area in general.
The numbers of geese using fields at nearby Kildun Farm are well
documented and many counts refer to flocks of Pink-footed Geese (>1000
have been recorded). The favoured feeding fields are located
approximately 1km from the turbine site and are located between the
railway line and the Conon islands (see Figure 1. Site layout turbine
location and favoured geese feeding areas).
Kenneth MacKenzie has reported seeing geese very occasionally using
fields adjacent to the turbine location, but only in early May and that they
never linger. These sightings almost certainly refer to Pink-footed Geese
(NB. all Greylag Geese will have migrated already by early May).
The same principles identified for Whooper Swan in relation to
topography and potential flight lines, and issues relating to the electricity
pylon transmission lines, equally apply. And like Whooper Swan, there is
no history of collision mortality.
Nonetheless, there is a potential collision risk associated with the proposed
development, although the risks associated with a small scale single
turbine would be relatively small compared with for example a wind farm
site where multiple numbers of large turbines were present.
Pink-footed Geese numbers are now in excess of 260,000 individuals.
Two wholly migratory populations exist. One breeds in Svalbard,
migrates through Norway and Denmark to winter in the Netherlands and
Belgium, and numbers 35,000 birds (Madsen et al 1999). The other breeds
in central Iceland and east Greenland and winters almost exclusively in
Scotland and England. This population has increased in numbers from
c.310,000 in the 1950s to c.225,000 in 1999 (Mitchell et al 1999). The
population processes underlying the increase in numbers that has occurred
in the last 40 years is not clearly understood.
6

Pink-footed Goose is a popular quarry species and it is not surprising that
97% of all known causes of death are from shooting (Wernham et al 2002)
and is frequently blamed for alleged agricultural damage.
Whilst any mortality associated with this development would be
regrettable, the chances of a serious mortality incident occurring is
considered unlikely, and potential losses (if any) would be small, and
would not be significant in terms of the overall numbers present and
population size as a whole.
Potential adverse impacts on Pink-footed Goose are therefore assessed as
low.
Greylag Goose Anser anser
UK wintering population 81,900 (birds).
Issues relate to birds over-flying the site area and to collision risk during
both spring and autumn migration periods, and throughout the winter
months. The Cromarty Firth lies within the migration route of the
Icelandic race of Greylag Geese (breed in Iceland and Greenland) which
overwinter in the UK, and is not only utilised as a staging post during the
migration period, but also an important overwintering site in its own right,
and the numbers are such that a significant proportion of the population is
involved. Consequently, the Cromarty Firth has been classified as a SPA,
with Greylag Goose listed as part of the qualifying interest (i.e. supports a
population of European importance) (see Appendix 1.1). In addition,
populations utilising the Cromarty Firth are considered integral to
populations using Loch Eye (and the Dornoch Firth), NB. Loch Eye lies
between the Dornoch and Cromarty Firths and geese move between here
and the adjacent firths. Like the Cromarty Firth, Loch Eye and the
Dornoch Firth are both classified as SPA (and Greylag Goose is listed as
part of the qualifying interest for all three sites). The habits of Greylag
Geese are similar to those described for Pink-footed Geese. The spring
migration period extends from late March throughout April, and autumn
migration is from September to early November. Activity involving
overwintering birds remains high throughout the winter months, with large
numbers of geese flying out from overnight roost sites to feed in
agricultural fields at dawn and generally returning at dusk, although
movements can continue throughout the day.
Given the location and proximity of the site area to the Cromarty Firth, it
is likely that Greylag Geese will over-fly the potential turbine location.
The importance of the Cromarty Firth for Greylag Geese has been
highlighted, and significant numbers regularly feed in fields in the
7

Dingwall area, including those already identified as important for Pinkfooted
Geese at Kildun Farm (flocks of >1000 are not uncommon).
There is no history or evidence of Greylag Geese using fields adjacent to
the turbine location, therefore all issues concerning this species will relate
to birds over-flying the site area and to collision risk. Given that Greylag
Goose is listed as part of the qualifying interest of the Cromarty Firth SPA
serious losses could impact on the integrity of the site.
However, the same principles identified for Whooper Swan and Pinkfooted
Goose in relation to topography and potential flight lines and issues
relating to the electricity pylon transmissions lines, equally apply. And
like Whooper Swan and Pink-footed Goose, there is no recorded collision
mortality.
Collision risks associated with the development may therefore be small.
Similarly, the risks associated with a small scale single turbine would be
relatively small compared with a wind farm site where multiple numbers
of large turbines are present. Greylag Goose is also a popular quarry
species and large numbers are shot each winter in and around the Inner
Moray Firth. However, some information in relation to flight lines and
flying heights would be desirable.
Nonetheless, the risks of collision are considered to be low, but given the
close proximity of the turbine location to the Cromarty Firth SPA,
potential adverse impacts on Greylag Goose are assessed as low-moderate.
Osprey Pandion haliaetus
Annex 1 and Schedule 1.
UK breeding population estimated at 148 pairs (NB. now considered to be
>200 pairs).
The Inner Moray Firth is important for breeding Osprey, and Osprey is
listed as part of the qualifying interest of the Cromarty Firth SPA (under
Article 4.1 of the Directive). Numbers are given as one pair representing
1.0% of the breeding population in Great Britain (early 1990s). These are
now out of date and 10-15 pairs now regularly fish the sheltered bays of
the Cromarty Firth.
Ospreys return to the Highlands to breed in late March and early April and
generally depart on their southward migrations in August.
Ospreys are commonly seen in the Dingwall area and can be easily
observed fishing in the Inner Cromarty Firth. However, there are no nest
sites within 2km of the proposed turbine location. The nearest currently
occupied nest is at Loch Ussie 3.5km from the proposed turbine location.
8

This pair have been well studied and the male is known to regularly fish
the Inner Cromarty Firth near to the Conon Islands. The outbound flight
line is from Loch Ussie directly over the Conon roundabout and
approximately 1km to the south of the proposed turbine location. The
inbound flight is along the same route, and Ospreys carrying fish to the
nest take the easiest route, avoiding high ground.
Additional pairs nest upriver of the Conon Islands but at distances greater
than the Loch Ussie pair. All flight lines associated with these pairs are
away from the proposed turbine location. No pairs nest immediately to the
north of Dingwall.
Therefore, there are no issues associated with the proposed development
and disturbance to nests or collision risk to known breeding pairs. And the
proposed development is not sited near a fishing loch which could
potentially attract non-breeding birds.
Potential adverse impacts on Osprey are therefore predicted as negligiblelow.
Red Kite Milvus milvus
Annex 1 and Schedule 1.
UK breeding population estimated at c.1000 pairs.
Red Kites were reintroduced to north Scotland in 1989-1993 and following
the successful release of birds, a breeding population has established.
However, this breeding population (55 pairs in 2009) is still largely
centred on the Black Isle and parts of Easter Ross. Pairs have been slow to
spread out, although they are now breeding eastwards as far as Tain. A
relatively high density of breeding pairs occurs in the Dingwall area.
The moorland edge, mixed woodlands, coniferous plantation and
permanent grazing which encompass an area from Strathpeffer in the west
to Evanton in the east (including the Dingwall area) comprise an important
foraging area for a number of established pairs, and much of the higher
ground in particular is important as a nursery area for both juvenile and
immature Red Kites.
There are currently no pairs of Red Kites breeding within 2km of the
proposed turbine location. A pair did breed on the Conon Islands in 2008,
but the site has been unoccupied in subsequent breeding seasons
(approximately 1.8km from the turbine location). The nearest occupied
nest site is approximately 3.75km from the potential site area. Soaring
Red Kites are nonetheless a common feature of the area in general and
birds are commonly seen in the Dingwall area, including over the town
itself. Indeed, two adults and a juvenile Red Kite were observed in the
9

general vicinity during the site visit undertaken on 10 October 2010, and
flight activity surveys undertaken in respect of this proposal would no
doubt record numerous flights.
However, this does not necessarily equate to a high risk of collision or
potential collision mortality. The risks associated with a small scale single
turbine which is in a prominent position in the landscape are considered to
be relatively small when compared to the risks associated with a wind farm
site where multiple numbers of large turbines were present. At this
location we would expect Red Kites to exhibit a high awareness of the
wind turbine and exhibit high levels of avoidance, as they do with the
numerous power lines which cross the area.
Nonetheless, the development would pose some risks, but these could be
mitigated by not lambing in the immediate vicinity of the turbine location
(NB. Red Kites are attracted to lambing parks where they scavenge on
afterbirth, dead lambs, docked tails, etc). Further mitigation measures
have additionally been identified (see Section 5. Potential mitigation
measures).
Potential adverse impacts on Red Kite are therefore predicted as lowmoderate
(but could potentially be reduced by implementing mitigation
measures).
10

References
Mitchell, C., Fox, A. D., Boyd, H., Sigfusson, A. & Boertmann. 1999. Pink-footed
Goose Anser brachyrhynchus: Iceland/Greenland. In Goose populations of the
Western Palaearctic: a review of status and distribution (eds. J. Madsen, G. Cracknell
& A. D. Fox), pp 68-81, Wetlands International Publication 48. Wetlands
International, Wageningen, the Netherlands, and National Environmental Research
Institute, Ronde, Denmark.
Wernham, C. V., Toms, M. P., Marchant, J. H., Clark, J. A., Siriwardena, G. M. &
Baillie, S. R. (eds). 2002. The Migration Atlas: movements of the birds of Britain and
Ireland. T. & A. D. Poyser, London.

APPENDIX 1
The Cromarty Firth Special Protection Area (SPA)
Classification Date: 22/03/1999
SPA EU code: UK 9001623
Area: 3766.24ha
Component SSSIs: Lower River Conon SSSI, Cromarty Firth SSSI, Rosemarkie to
Shandwick SSSI
Cromarty Firth is located in north-eastern Scotland is one of the major firths on the
east shore of the Moray Firth. It contains a range of high-quality coastal habitats
including extensive intertidal mud-flats and shingle bordered locally by areas of
saltmarsh, as well as reedbeds around Dingwall. The rich invertebrate fauna of the
intertidal flats, with beds of eelgrass Zostera spp., glasswort Salicornia spp., and
Enteromorpha algae, all provide important food sources for large numbers of
wintering and migrating waterbirds (swans, geese, ducks and waders). With adjacent
estuarine areas elsewhere in the Moray Firth, it is the most northerly major wintering
area for wildfowl and waders in Europe. The Firth is also of importance as a feeding
area for locally breeding Osprey Pandion haliaetus as well as for breeding terns.
Cromarty Firth SPA forms an integral ecological component of Moray Basin Firths
and Bays.
Qualifying species:
This site qualifies under Article 4.1 of the Directive (79/409/EEC) by supporting
populations of European importance of the following species listed on Annex 1 of the
Directive:
During the breeding season:
Common Tern Sterna hirundo, 294 pairs representing at least 2.4% of the breeding
population in Great Britain (5 year mean, 1989-1993).
Osprey Pandion Haliaetus, 1 pair representing at least 1.0% of the breeding
population in Great Britain (early 1990s).
Over winter:
Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica, 1,420 individuals representing at least 2.7% of
the wintering population in Great Britain (winter peak mean).
Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus, 55 individuals representing at least 1.0% of the
wintering population in Great Britain (5 year peak mean 1991/2-1995/6).
This site also qualifies under Article 4.2 of the Directive (79/409/EEC) by supporting
populations of European importance of the following migratory species:

Over winter:
Greylag Goose Anser anser, 1,777 individuals representing at least 1.8% of the
wintering Iceland/UK/Ireland population (winter peak mean).
Assemblage qualification: A wetland of international importance
The area qualifies under Article 4.2 of the Directive (79/409/EEC) by regularly
supporting at least 20,000 waterfowl.
Over winter, the area regularly supports 34,847 individual waterfowl (5 year peak mean
1991/2-1995/6) including: Redshank Tringa totanus, Curlew Numenius arquata,
Dunlin Calidris alpina alpina, Knot Calidris canutus, Oystercatcher Haematopus
ostralegus, Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator, Scaup Aythya marila, Pintail
Anas acuta, Wigeon Anas penelope, Greylag Goose Anser anser, Bar-tailed Godwit
Limosa lapponica, Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus.
Note that sites selected for waterbird species on the basis of their occurrence in the
breeding, passage or winter periods also provide legal protection for these species when
they occur at other times of the year.