Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
Organisation
Clackmannanshire
Council
Response
with and adjacent to the development (the Black Devon Wetlands) as a nature reserve. The
proposed wind energy development will influence whether or not RSPB proceed with the
reserve proposal as they have concerns about enhancing habitat for birds in close proximity to
wind turbines.
26/04/2010 (email): Yvonne Boles (Central Scotland Conservation Officer) noted that she had
no additions to the proposed survey work. RSPB is interested in the movements of birds
between pools adjacent to the proposed wind energy development and the Forth Estuary,
especially at high tide. As the development is next to an SPA, RSPB suggested that a second
year of data on migratory and wintering birds may be appropriate to give some indication of
year-to-year variation in the use of this part of the estuary by birds.
09/06/2010 (Meeting with PfR): Yvonne Boles (Central Scotland Conservation Officer)
requested that the Beauly Denny Line should be included as part of a cumulative assessments
and pointed out that there was no collision risk for wigeon included within the preliminary report
to inform an Appropriate Assessment.
01/10/2010 (meeting with PfR and RPS): RPS presented a summary of the ornithological
impact assessment and appropriate assessment. RSPB indicated that their main concern
related to collision risk for pink-footed goose, at Forthbank and in combination with other
developments. They recognise the uncertainty about the avoidance rates used in collision risk
calculations and welcomed proposals for post-construction monitoring. RSPB are in
negotiations to lease the Black Devon Wetlands and manage as a bird reserve and are
concerned about possible adverse publicity in relation to the proposed wind energy
development and birds.
22/03/2010 (e-mail) - Keith Johnstone (Principal Planner) alluded to the known presence of
breeding barn owls within 2km of the proposed wind energy development site and advised that
surveys to identify their presence should be conducted.
Baseline Studies
Target Species
12.2.5 The desk study, field surveys and impact assessment all focused on a group of target bird
species identified on the basis of their conservation value in accordance with SNH guidance 2 .
For the proposed wind energy development these were as follows:
• qualifying waterfowl species of the Firth of Forth SPA 8 (refer to Table 12.8);
• other waterfowl 9 not listed as qualifying interests of the Firth of Forth SPA which are
likely to be affected by a wind energy development;
• raptors listed on Annex 1 of the Birds Directive 10 and/or Schedule 1 of the Wildlife &
Countryside Act (1981) (as amended) 11 ;
• other species listed on the Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern 12 ; and
• priority species under the UK 4 and Clackmannanshire Biodiversity Action Plans 6 and
the Scottish Biodiversity List 5 .
Desk Study
12.2.6 Ornithological data and details of protected areas for birds located within the development site
and surrounding areas was sought from a range of sources including SNH, RSPB, Scottish
Wildlife Trust (SWT) and the Central Scotland Raptor Study Group (see consultations above).
In addition WeBS data for the upper Forth Estuary and the Firth of Forth SPA was requested
from the British trust for Ornithology (BTO). Information sources are listed in Table 12.2 below.
November 2010 Chapter 12 Page 4
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