Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
• prints;
• spraints; and,
• feeding remains.
11.2.51 Any of these field signs are diagnostic of the presence of otters although spraints are the most
reliably identifiable evidence of the presence of this species. Where resting sites were
discovered, then an indication of their importance was recorded. This was undertaken by
evaluating spraint freshness, prints and paths or niche availability and quality of the feature. It
should be noted, that it is often not possible to identify couches with confidence unless other
field signs (e.g. spraints) are also present.
11.2.52 Otter surveys in coastal locations should be conducted on the low tide thereby allowing safe
access along the upper foreshore where otter activity is most likely to be evident. Surveys
should also be conducted in fine weather conditions and should not follow periods of heavy
rain which could wash away any otter field evidence. The survey of 7 May 2010 was
conducted in fine weather conditions during the retreating/low tide.
Badger Survey: Methodology
11.2.53 The badger survey was undertaken by two RPS ecologists on 26 April 2010 and was
completed on 7 May 2010. The survey involved searches for badger field signs (see below for
details) and included all areas of suitable habitat (e.g. woodland, scrub and field margins)
within 500m of the application area as requested by SNH 25 and Clackmannanshire Council 23 .
11.2.54 The only exception to the coverage of the survey was the exclusion of habitats on the eastern
side of the Black Devon; the opposite side of the watercourse from the proposed development
site. This area is dominated by arable fields as described above and while this habitat can be
suitable for badgers this part of the survey area was considered to be sufficiently segregated
from the development site such that any badgers present on this side of the river would be
unlikely to be affected by any proposed works. Furthermore, the few areas which were
considered to provide suitable habitat for sett excavation were located over 30m from the
application area boundary and therefore beyond the maximum critical distance within which a
development licence for badgers would be required from SNH.
11.2.55 The badger survey area is shown in Figure 11.3.
11.2.56 During the survey, evidence of badger presence and activity was recorded and mapped.
Badger field signs are described in Neal & Cheeseman 26 , Bang & Dahlstrøm 24 in SNH (2001) 27
and include;
• setts (including main, subsidiary and outlier setts);
• latrines (dung pits used as territorial markers);
• prints;
• foraging signs (snuffle holes); and,
November 2010 Chapter 11 Page 10
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