Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
Species Conservation
Value at
Forthbank
Green-shank Negligible
Whimbrel
Negligible
Effect Construction Significance Operation Significance
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
Greenshank were only recorded at Forthbank during the
autumn passage period and were present both infrequently
and in very low numbers; the peak count being of just two
birds (e.g. September estuary zone count). Greenshank
occur annually within the Forth Estuary during the passage
period although numbers are typically low 5-year (2004/05-
2008/09) peak mean within the Forth Estuary = 16 24 .
However, although the peak count at Forthbank represents
12.5% of the Forth Estuary population, the infrequent
presence of this species suggests that disturbance during
construction is likely to have a negligible effect (neutral).
Given the infrequent presence and very low abundance of
greenshank any disturbance and subsequent displacement of
this species caused by the operation of the proposed wind
energy development is expected to have a negligible effect
(neutral).
Barrier Effect N/A at construction N/A Although the only recorded greenshank flight was overland
between the Black Devon Wetlands and the Forth Estuary,
observations of this species were generally restricted to the
margins of the Forth Estuary and River Black Devon and it is
more likely that birds will stay within the confines of these
channels when commuting between sites. However, the single
recorded flight indicates that some birds may fly through the
proposed wind energy development to access the Black Devon
Wetlands. However, the survey results suggest that the
number of flights will be negligible and mainly below PCH.
Furthermore, birds will be able to pass through the corridor
between turbines 1 and 2. Consequently, the proposed wind
energy development is not predicted to act as a significant
barrier to the movement of greenshank (neutral).
Collision N/A at construction N/A Only a single greenshank flight was recorded during the flight
activity surveys and this was below PCH. Given the above, it is
reasonable to assume that greenshank rarely fly through the
risk volume and that the collision risk to this species is
negligible (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
Whimbrel was only recorded as present in the wider survey
area during the breeding season. Whimbrel breed in upland
environments and this record is likely to have been of a bird
on migration to its breeding grounds. Given the rare presence
of whimbrel, disturbance and displacement is not predicted to
have a significant effect on this species (neutral).
Considering the rare presence of whimbrel at Forthbank,
potential disturbance of this species during operation is
predicted to be of negligible magnitude.
Barrier Effect N/A at construction N/A Given the overall rare presence and low abundance of
whimbrel at Forthbank it is reasonable to assume that the
proposed wind energy development will not act as a significant
barrier to the movement of this species (neutral).
Not
significant
Not
significant
Not
significant
Not
significant
Not
significant
November 2010 Chapter 12 Page 67
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