Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
Table 12.2 Information Sources Used
Topic
Firth of Forth SPA,
Ramsar Site and
SSSI
Estuarine bird data
Field Surveys
Nature and Source of Information
SPA citation and conservation objectives
Ramsar citation
SSSI citation
SNH information service http://www.snh.org.uk/snhi/
British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) data including;
• High Tide Core Count data (2004/05 - 2008/09) for count sectors South Alloa to Cambus
(44407) and Kincardine Bridge to Alloa (84406); and
• Low Tide Counts (2003/04) for sectors BF005, BF006 and BF007.
12.2.7 The following bird surveys were carried out between September 2009 and August 2010. An
overall schedule of survey timings is included in Table 12.3 below. Further details of the timing
of survey visits are given in Appendix 12.1.
Winter Walkover
12.2.8 The winter walkover surveys were designed to assess the use of terrestrial habitats of the
proposed application site, as well as surrounding estuarine and other freshwater and wetland
sites within at least 500m, by birds during the non-breeding season. Particular focus was paid
to qualifying species of the Firth of Forth SPA although all other wetland and non-wetland
‘terrestrial’ species were also recorded.
12.2.9 The surveys involved a programme of six counts within the survey area between late
September 2009 and late March 2010. The survey method involved making counts of wetland
birds using the Forth Estuary from the seclusion of the landward side of the seawall
embankment which stretches along much of the wind energy development site’s coastal
boundary. In addition, a circuit was walked within the application site and nearby wetland
areas during which all birds, (wetland and terrestrial) were recorded.
12.2.10 All bird observations were plotted on to maps and transferred to a GIS system. Weather
conditions (wind speed using the Beaufort Scale, cloud cover estimated as eighths or oktas of
the sky, visibility and temperature) were also recorded.
12.2.11 The survey area is illustrated in Figure 12.1 while information on the dates, timing and weather
conditions of winter walkover visits is given in Appendix 12.1, (Ornithology Technical Appendix)
Table 12.1.1.
Estuary Zone Counts
12.2.12 Estuary zone counts were undertaken to assess the use of intertidal habitats of the Forth
Estuary immediately adjacent to the site by SPA qualifying bird species. Although counts of
estuarine birds are undertaken annually in this area as part of the WeBS core counts scheme,
these only comprise a single high tide count each month 13 . Low tide counts of birds are also
made under the WeBS scheme but these are conducted much less frequently, with individual
estuaries normally counted every 6 years. Consequently, RPS concluded that there was a
requirement for more detailed and up-to-date information on the numbers, distribution and
behaviour of SPA-qualifying species on the mudflats next to the proposed wind energy
November 2010 Chapter 12 Page 5
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