Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
Species
Conservation
Value at
Forthbank
Effect Construction Significance Operation Significance
and the presence of other physical obstacles (e.g.
powerlines) 40 . On the basis of this information, a
precautionary displacement range of 200m is considered for
construction also. Given the close proximity of the areas
where goose flocks were observed to the application site
there is a potential for construction activities during the winter
to disturb pink-footed geese. This could potentially lead to the
temporary displacement of the birds elsewhere within the
Upper Forth Estuary and surrounding Forth Valley. However,
given the infrequent presence of large pink-footed goose
flocks observed actually foraging or roosting within the survey
area disturbance of geese during construction is expected to
be minimal. Furthermore, arable forage fields dominate the
Forth Valley at this location while the islands of Alloa Inches
SWT Reserve, located approximately 1.1km upstream of the
application site, are recognised as a traditional pink-footed
goose roosting site. Therefore, even if birds are displaced
beyond the 200m displacement distance there is sufficient
availability of suitable, and most likely recognised, alternative
foraging and roosting habitats to which disturbed birds could
be displaced while still remaining within the Upper Forth
Estuary. Consequently, the impact magnitude is predicted to
be low.
of the Forth Estuary beyond 200m from the turbines in areas
where they were recorded during the surveys. Furthermore, it
is considered that there is sufficient availability of suitable
alternative foraging and roosting habitats within the Upper Forth
Estuary as previously mentioned. Consequently, the effect of
any disturbance and displacement of pink-footed geese caused
by the presence of the operational wind energy development is
predicted to be of low magnitude.
Barrier Effect N/A at construction N/A Of the 154 recorded pink-footed goose flights, the vast majority
were of birds commuting up or down the Forth Estuary (or at
least parallel to it). However, at least 53 flights (34%) passed
directly through the Wind Energy Development Area (the area
enclosed by a line on a map joining the outermost turbine rotors
of the wind farm), ,most of which were of birds commuting
between the Forth Estuary and habitats in the surrounding area
(e.g. arable fields to the north east of the site) or beyond as
opposed to between habitats within or immediately adjacent to
the application site. Since the proposed wind energy
development will not restrict the passage of birds along the
river it is concluded that it will not act as a significant barrier to
the majority of pink-footed goose flights which followed this
orientation. Meanwhile, of the flights observed passing over
the proposed wind energy development, it is expected that
birds commuting between foraging and roosting grounds in the
wider area will be able to avoid the proposed small scale wind
energy development by either passing over or around it.
Consequently, it is concluded that the proposed wind energy
development is unlikely to act as a significant barrier to the
Minor
November 2010 Chapter 12 Page 54
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