Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
VOR
Other Target Species
Common sandpiper
Gadwall
Gannet
Recorded Presence at Forthbank
(Vantage Point (VP), Winter Walkover (WW), Breeding Bird
Surveys (BBS), Estuary Count (EC), and Barn Owl (BO) Surveys)
WW Surveys:
• Recorded on 2 of 6 visits. Peak count 16.
BBS:
• Seven pairs/territories recorded within the BBS area, two of
which were in the proposed wind energy development site (see
Figure 12.5).
EC surveys:
• N/A.
VP Surveys:
• 7 flight events comprising 10 birds. No flight events were
considered to be “at risk”.
• Peak count 4.
WW Surveys:
• Not recorded.
BBS:
• Not recorded.
EC Surveys:
• Recorded on 2 of 10 visits. Peak count 12.
VP Surveys:
• Not recorded.
WW Surveys:
• Not recorded.
BBS:
• One pair/territory recorded in the BBS area, but not within the
proposed wind energy development site (see Figure 12.6).
EC Surveys:
• Not recorded.
VP Surveys:
• Not recorded.
WW Surveys:
• Recorded on 2 of 6 visits. Peak count 8.
Conservation
Designation
• Red-listed BoCC.
Comments
Yellowhammer was also present within the study area throughout
the year. Two territories were identified within the application site
during the breeding season with a further five located in the wider
survey area. Although it is a species of conservation concern due
to historical population decline, yellowhammers are not seriously
threatened and remain widespread and common in many areas
with the Scottish population estimated to be between 140,000 and
220,000 pairs 23 .
Although there are no known population data available at the
regional or district levels, it is likely that the seven 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 yellowhammer.
The highest conservation status afforded to common sandpiper is
its inclusion on the amber-list of BoCC 12 which reflects a population
decline or a range contraction of 25‐49% during the last 25 years. Given
this mid‐priority national conservation status common sandpiper is
considered to be of regional importance.
Common sandpiper is a common spring and autumn passage
migrant 23 and was only recorded at Forthbank during these
periods, predominantly autumn. There are no known population
data available at the regional or district levels. However, the peak
count of twelve birds at Forthbank is considered unlikely to
represent a significant proportion (≥1%) of the regional breeding
population. Consequently, the site is considered to represent a
population of district importance.
Gadwall is also included on the amber list of BoCC (see common
sandpiper above for definition). As such gadwall is considered to
be of regional importance.
Gadwall was only recorded during the breeding bird surveys with a
single pair identified as breeding outside of the application site.
However, given the otherwise infrequent occurrence of this
species at Forthbank the site is assessed as being of local
importance for this species.
Gannet is also included on the amber list of BoCC (see common
sandpiper above for definition). As such gannet is considered to
be of regional importance.
Gannets were only recorded at Forthbank during the autumn
passage period with birds flying along the river channel of the
Species Conservation
Value (Sp) and Level
of Importance at
Forthbank (Site)
Sp: Regional
Site: District
Sp: Regional
Site: Local
Sp: Regional
Site: Negligible
November 2010 Chapter 12 Page 34
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