Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
Otter Survey
11.3.54 The following provides an overview of the otter field survey results. Figure 11.6, presents the
Otter Survey Map which illustrates the relevant features of interest via a series of target notes,
description for which are provided in the following text.
11.3.55 No confirmed otter evidence was detected within the application area. Indeed, the habitats
within the application area were largely considered to be unsuitable for otters, especially the
open semi-improved grassland which provides negligible shelter or foraging opportunities for
the species.
11.3.56 Otter evidence, including spraints and prints, was detected along the edge of the Forth
Estuary, the most notable of which was a series of prints in the intertidal mud (Target Note 1,
Figure 11.6). These appeared to connect to a narrow mammal path within the adjacent
saltmarsh. The path ran across the saltmarsh to the site’s access track and continued on the
opposite side towards the largest of the three freshwater lagoons (see Target Note 2, Figure
11.6). Although there was no definitive evidence to suggest that otters use this path (i.e.
spraints or prints) it is considered highly likely that they would. Coastal otters require a source
of freshwater to desalinate their coats in order to maintain their insulative properties and this
path provides direct connectivity between the estuary and the freshwater/mildly saline lagoon.
11.3.57 Otter evidence was found along the entire survey reach of the Black Devon including
systematic sprainting, footprints, mammal paths and an otter slide (where an animal had slid
down the mud embankment of the Black Devon). Otter paths, confirmed by the presence of
spraints, were detected connecting the Black Devon to the two smaller lagoons (Target Note 3
and Target Note 4, Figure 11.6) reinforcing the importance of these freshwater habitats for
local otters.
11.3.58 The presence of otters along the Black Devon was further confirmed following the observation
of a single dog otter on 14 August 2010 at Target Note 5 (see Figure 11.6) during
ornithological surveys conducted in associated with this project.
11.3.59 However, despite the abundance of otter evidence, no otter resting sites were located within
250m of the application area. The only potential resting site was located approximately 500m
from the application area.
11.3.60 The lack of resting sites within the survey area, in contrast with the abundance of otter
evidence, suggests that the habitats within and surrounding the application area are used
primarily for commuting, foraging and cleaning. Resting sites are more likely to be situated
within the wooded, riparian habitat of the Black Devon, located upstream of the survey area
(e.g. Pond Wood, see Figure 11.3) with otters only venturing down to the Forth Estuary to
forage.
Badger Survey
11.3.61 No evidence of badgers was detected within the application area or within the 500m buffer.
The habitat located within the application area was largely sub-optimal for badgers and while
November 2010 Chapter 11 Page 24
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