Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
Species
Dunnock
Grasshopper
warbler
Conservation
Value at
Forthbank
Local
Effect Construction Significance Operation Significance
Collision N/A at construction N/A No whimbrel flights were recorded during the flight activity Not
surveys. Given the overall rare presence and low abundance significant
of this species it is reasonable to assume that whimbrel rarely
fly through the proposed wind energy development and that the
collision risk to this species is negligible (neutral).
Habitat Loss Dunnock were recorded at Forthbank throughout the year
both within and surrounding the application site. Two
pairs/territories were recorded within the application site
during the breeding season with a further thirteen located in
the wider survey area. There is potential for some of the
habitat which will be lost through the installation of the
turbines and associated infrastructure to include areas which
are used as foraging or feeding grounds by dunnock.
However, it is considered that the total amount of habitat loss
is negligible in the context of the site and that there is an
abundance of suitable alternative habitat both within and
surrounding the application site. None of the habitat loss is
expected to affect areas of suitable dunnock breeding habitat
(e.g. scrub). Consequently the loss of habitat is predicted to
be negligible (neutral).
Not significant N/A at operation N/A
Disturbance &
Displacement
Construction of the proposed wind energy development has
the potential to cause some temporary displacement of
dunnock from some breeding and feeding sites. However,
there is considered to be sufficient availability of suitable
alternative habitat in the wider area (i.e. urban fringe habitats
and scrub) to support any displaced birds. Consequently, any
displacement of dunnock is expected to be of negligible
magnitude and the long-term loss of any significant proportion
of the local population is considered highly unlikely (neutral).
Not significant
All four turbines will be located within open areas of rough
grassland away from the areas of most suitable habitat for
dunnock (e.g. scrub). Consequently, given the low intensity of
disturbance associated with operational wind farms, the effect
of disturbance and displacement on this species is expected to
be of negligible magnitude. Furthermore, it is likely that a
species such as dunnock will become habituated to the
disturbance, given that they are abundant in urban
environments and presumably tolerant of disturbance (neutral).
Barrier Effect N/A for this species N/A N/A for this species N/A
Collision N/A for this species N/A N/A for this species N/A
Regional Habitat Loss Grasshopper warblers were only recorded at Forthbank during Not significant N/A at operation N/A
the breeding season. However, of the nine pairs/territories
which were identified in the survey area none were located
within the proposed wind energy development site. Although
grasshopper warbler breeds on or near the ground in dense
rank grassland and low growing scrub habitats the areas
which are likely to be affected by habitat loss are unlikely to
include areas of high quality breeding habitat for the species.
There is potential for some of the habitat which will be lost
through the installation of the turbines and associated
infrastructure to include areas which are used as foraging or
feeding grounds by grasshopper warbler. However, it is
Not
significant
November 2010 Chapter 12 Page 68
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