Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
Species
Black-tailed
godwit
Crossbill
Conservation
Value at
Forthbank
Local
Negligible
Effect Construction Significance Operation Significance
mentioned above. Furthermore, the collision risk for this
species is considered to be low given the species propensity for
low level flight (i.e. below PCH). Therefore, the frequency of
barn owl flights through the risk volume is considered likely to
be low. As such, there is considered to be a very low risk of
this species being significantly affected by collisions with the
wind turbines (neutral).
Habitat Loss No loss of habitat which is of value to the species (neutral). Not significant N/A at operation N/A
Disturbance &
Displacement
Black-tailed godwit were recorded infrequently at Forthbank,
mostly during the spring passage, and other than the peak
count of 19, were generally present in very low numbers of
less than 5 birds. Although the species was present within the
survey area during the breeding season there was no
evidence of breeding. Given the above, the likelihood of
construction activities having an adverse disturbance effect on
this species is considered to be negligible (neutral).
Not significant
Given the infrequent presence and low abundance of blacktailed
godwit at Forthbank it is reasonable to assume that level
of disturbance/displacement as a result of the proposed wind
energy development will be low (neutral).
Barrier Effect N/A at construction N/A Only a single black-tailed godwit flight was recorded during the
flight activity surveys. This flight passed between the Forth
Estuary and Black Devon Wetlands. Given the low number of
black-tailed godwit flights recorded and the limited presence
and abundance of this species it is reasonable to assume that
birds rarely pass through the proposed wind energy
development and therefore that the proposed wind energy
development will not act as a significant barrier to the
movement of this species (neutral).
Collision N/A at construction N/A Only one black-tailed godwit flight was recorded during the
flight activity surveys and this did not pass through the risk
volume. Consequently, collision risk modelling could not be
carried out for this species for this species. However, given the
absence of “at risk” flights, it is reasonable to conclude that
there is a very low risk of this species being significantly
affected by collisions with the wind turbines (neutral).
Habitat Loss No loss of habitat which is of value to the species (neutral). Not significant N/A at operation N/A
Disturbance &
Not significant
Displacement
The only record of crossbill was of a single individual flying
over the site during the September winter walkover survey.
Crossbill predominantly occurs in coniferous woodland of
which there is none within, or in close proximity to the
application site. Consequently disturbance and displacement
is not predicted to affect this species (neutral).
Given that the available habitat at Forthbank is sub-optimal for
crossbill, disturbance and displacement is not predicted to
affect this species (neutral).
Barrier Effect N/A to this species N/A N/A for this species N/A
Collision N/A to this species N/A N/A for this species N/A
Not
significant
Not
significant
Not
significant
Not
significant
November 2010 Chapter 12 Page 66
Copyright Partnerships for Renewables Development Co. Ltd 2010 ©