Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
Collision Risk Modelling & Defining the Risk Zone
12.2.25 Collision Risk Modelling (CRM) (SNH 2000 1 ; Band et al. 2007 17 ) was applied to the flight
activity data collected during the Forthbank vantage point surveys to estimate the potential
collision rates of birds with wind turbines.
12.2.26 For each target species, an annual or where relevant, seasonal collision rate was predicted
using either a directional or non-directional (random) collision risk model. For the purposes of
collision risk modelling, the flight activity data was split into breeding (May-July inclusive) and
non-breeding seasons (passage and winter) (August - April inclusive) and the choice of
modelling method was based on the flight behaviour of a given species within the proposed
wind energy development area.
12.2.27 The “directional model” is normally appropriate for species which move through the wind farm
area in a particular direction. This type of flight behaviour is characteristic of species on
migration or making regular movements between feeding and roosting sites. SNH advocates
the use of this directional method for groups such as divers, geese, swans and ducks.
12.2.28 A “non-directional model” is more appropriate where the flights of a particular species are less
predictable. This is usually the case for birds moving around within a breeding or hunting
territory that is wholly or partly within the site of interest. This approach, which assumes that
the direction of flights is random, is usually appropriate for breeding and non-breeding raptors
and waders.
12.2.29 The main difference between the directional and non-directional methods concerns whether it
is more appropriate to consider collision risk to be influenced by either:
• a two-dimensional “risk window” in front of a bird as it flies towards the wind farm
area with the intention of continuing on in the same direction (directional model); or
• within a three-dimensional “risk volume” as a bird flies around within the wind farm
area, in no consistent direction (non-directional model).
12.2.30 The risk window or risk volume, within which birds were considered to be at risk of collision
was based on the area enclosed by the tips of the outermost turbine rotors, plus a
precautionary 200m buffer to allow for a degree of surveyor error when mapping flightlines.
This definition is in line with SNH guidance.
12.2.31 Full details of the collision risk modelling process are given in Appendix 12.1.
Assessment of the Significance of Impacts
12.2.32 Assessment of the significance of impacts on ornithological interests was broadly based on the
staged process outlined in guidelines from the Institute of Ecology and Environmental
Management (IEEM); most recent version from 2006 18 ).
12.2.33 The stages in the assessment are as follows:
November 2010 Chapter 12 Page 8
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