Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
12.3.8 The full list of qualifying species for which the SPA is classified is presented in Appendix 12.2,
Table 12.2.1.
12.3.9 The Firth of Forth’s designation as a Ramsar site also relates to the important populations of
overwintering waterfowl which the area supports. The SSSI designation, which is for both
biological and geological features, includes wetland bird species and coastal and estuarine
habitats (see Table 12.9 above).
Non-Statutory Designated Sites & Nature Reserves
12.3.10 The following provides details of all non-statutory designated sites identified within 2km of the
proposed wind energy development site with ornithological interests.
Black Devonmouth Lagoons Wildlife Site
12.3.11 This complex of freshwater and slightly brackish lagoons is located within 100m to the north of
the proposed wind energy development site. The wetland was created between the late 1990s
and mid-2000s to provide high tide roosting habitat for waterfowl and wading birds from the
adjacent Forth Estuary. In winter they regularly support flocks of shelduck, curlew,
oystercatcher and redshank as well as attracting passage migrant wading birds.
Alloa Inches SWT Reserve
12.3.12 Alloa and Tullibody Inches consist of two small, low lying islands located on a large bend in the
tidal section of the River Forth approximately 1.1km upstream of the proposed wind energy
development site.
12.3.13 The smaller, Tullibody Inch (11ha) is surrounded by deep soft mud and is regularly inundated
by the tide. It is entirely covered by reedbeds and is an important autumn roost for swallows.
12.3.14 Alloa Inch (39ha) is also frequently inundated by the tide following a breach in the seawall in
1983. This has lead to the establishment of the largest area of pioneer saltmarsh communities
in the Forth Estuary of which the extensive areas of sea aster represent an important winter
food source for flocks of twite. Alloa Inch also regularly supports between 2000-3000 pinkfooted
geese during the spring when the first flush of saltmarsh grasses provide rich food
before their northward migration. This island is also a nationally important breeding site for
shelduck.
Historical Bird Data
Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) Data
High Tide (Core Count) Data
12.3.15 Mean peak counts for 2004/05–2008/09 are presented for two count sectors which overlap
with the estuary zone count survey area for Forthbank are shown in Table 12.10. For SPA
November 2010 Chapter 12 Page 13
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