Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
VOR
warbler
Reed bunting
Skylark
Recorded Presence at Forthbank
(Vantage Point (VP), Winter Walkover (WW), Breeding Bird
Surveys (BBS), Estuary Count (EC), and Barn Owl (BO) Surveys)
• N/A.
WW Surveys:
• Not recorded.
BBS:
• Nine pairs/territories recorded with territories in the BBS area,
none of which were within the proposed wind energy
development site (see Figure 12.5).
EC Surveys:
• N/A.
VP Surveys:
• N/A.
WW surveys:
• Recorded on 6 of 6 visits. Peak count 7.
BBS:
• Fourteen pairs/territories recorded in the BBS area, 4 of which
were in the proposed wind energy development site (see Figure
12.5).
EC Surveys:
• N/A.
VP Surveys:
• N/A.
WW Surveys:
• Recorded on 4 of 6 visits. Peak count 9.
BBS:
• Thirteen pairs/territories recorded within the BBS area, six of
which were in the proposed wind energy development site (see
Figure 12.5).
EC Surveys:
• N/A.
Conservation
Designation
Species; and
• Red-listed BoCC
• UKBAP Priority
Species; and
• Scottish
Biodiversity List.
• UKBAP Priority
Species;
• Red-listed BoCC;
• LBAP species on
the
Clackmannanshir
e Local Plan; and
• Scottish
Biodiversity List.
Comments
regional importance.
Nine grasshopper warbler territories identified within the survey
area, however, none of these were located within the application
site. Grasshopper warbler is a thinly distributed summer migrant
breeder in Scotland with an estimated 900 to 3,700 pairs 23 .
Although there are no known population data available at the
regional or district level, the nine pairs identified at Forthbank
represents 1% of the lower estimate of the Scottish breeding
population. Consequently the site is considered to be of regional
importance for grasshopper warbler.
As a UK BAP species reed bunting is of regional importance.
Reed bunting was present within the study area throughout the
year with four territories identified within the application site during
the breeding season and a further ten located in the wider survey
area. Although it is a species of conservation concern due to
historical population decline, reed buntings are not seriously
threatened and remain widespread and relatively common in many
areas. The most recent Scottish estimates are for 15,000-30,000
pairs 23 .
Although there are no known population data available at the
regional or district levels, the fifteen pairs identified at Forthbank
are considered likely to represent a significant proportion (≥1%) of
the district breeding population. Consequently, the site is
considered to represent a population of district importance.
As a red-listed and UK BAP species skylark is of regional
importance.
Skylark was present within the study area throughout the year with
six territories identified within the application site during the
breeding season and a further seven located in the wider survey
area. Although it is a species of conservation concern due to
historical population decline, skylarks are not seriously threatened
and remain widespread and common in many areas with the
Scottish population estimated to be in the region of 280,000
pairs 23 .
Although there are no known population data available at the
regional or district levels, it is likely that the thirteen pairs identified
at Forthbank represent a significant proportion (i.e. ≥1%) of the
district breeding population. Consequently, the site is considered
to be of district importance for skylark.
Species Conservation
Value (Sp) and Level
of Importance at
Forthbank (Site)
Site: Regional
Sp: Regional
Site: District
Sp: Regional
Site: District
Yellowhammer
VP Surveys:
• N/A.
• UKBAP Priority
Species; and
As a red-listed and UK BAP species yellowhammer is of regional
importance.
Sp: Regional
Site: District
November 2010 Chapter 12 Page 33
Copyright Partnerships for Renewables Development Co. Ltd 2010 ©