Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
Species
Peregrine
Conservation
Value at
Forthbank
Local
Effect Construction Significance Operation Significance
during the breeding bird surveys although there was no
evidence to suggest the species was breeding along the lower
stretches of the river. Despite the close proximity of the
application site, kingfishers are unlikely to be affected by the
construction activities and in any case are not thought to
occur frequently enough to be adversely affected by the
works.
low intensity disturbance associated with the operational wind
energy development (neutral).
Barrier Effect N/A at construction N/A N/A for this species N/A
Collision N/A at construction N/A N/A for this species N/A
Habitat Loss No loss of habitat which is of value to the species (neutral). Not significant N/A at operation N/A
Disturbance &
Displacement
Other than the 12 flights which were recorded during the flight
activity surveys (mostly during the late summer/early autumn
months), peregrine was only recorded once during the winter
walkover surveys (March) and was represented by a single
bird. Peregrines require an elevated ledge on which to nest
and the survey area offers no such suitable opportunities for
this species. Therefore, peregrines almost certainly occur at
Forthbank opportunistically to ambush wetland birds using the
Forth Estuary and Black Devon Wetlands. Given the
relatively infrequent presence of this species and considering
that the majority of peregrine sightings were located around
the Black Devon Wetlands rather than within the application
site itself, it is considered unlikely that the species will be
discouraged from coming to this site to hunt by construction
activities. Indeed, peregrines are considered to be relatively
tolerant of such disturbance often being found in association
with busy refineries, power stations and other industrial sites.
Even if birds are temporarily displaced there is considered to
be an availability of suitable alternative foraging habitats in the
wider area (i.e. the wider Forth Estuary and adjacent fields).
Consequently, any disturbance which might affect this species
during construction is predicted to be of negligible magnitude
(neutral).
Not significant
Given the relatively infrequent presence of this species and the
general attraction of this species to the Black Devon Wetlands
rather than the application site (as previously mentioned) it is
considered unlikely that the species will be discouraged from
coming to this site to hunt by the presence of the wind turbines
and maintenance activities. Even if birds are temporarily
displaced during the early years of operation there is
considered to be an availability of suitable alternative foraging
habitats in the wider area, as previously identified.
Consequently, the likelihood of disturbance associated with the
proposed wind energy development leading to the
displacement of the species is considered to be low and the
magnitude of any effects are predicted to be negligible
(neutral).
Barrier Effect N/A at construction N/A Of the 12 recorded peregrine flights only 2 (17%) passed
directly through the proposed wind energy development (the
area enclosed by a line on a map joining the outermost turbine
rotors of the wind farm), with the majority of flights being of
birds around Black Devon Wetlands, presumably hunting.
Consequently, given the low number and probable nature (i.e.
hunting rather than commuting) of flights recorded it is
considered unlikely that the proposed wind energy
development will act as a significant barrier to the movement of
this species (neutral).
Not
significant
Not
significant
November 2010 Chapter 12 Page 61
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