Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
Species
Reed
bunting
Conservation
Value at
Forthbank
District
Effect Construction Significance Operation Significance
Disturbance &
Displacement
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 in the surrounding area (e.g. Black
Devon Wetlands). Consequently the loss of habitat is
predicted to have a negligible impact on this species
(neutral).
Construction of the proposed wind energy development has
the potential to cause some temporary displacement of
grasshopper warblers from some breeding and feeding sites
located in close proximity to the proposed wind energy
development site. However, there is considered to be
sufficient availability of suitable alternative habitat in the wider
area to support any displaced birds. Consequently, any
displacement of any grasshopper warblers 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
grasshopper warbler (e.g. dense rank grassland and low
growing 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 particularly likely
that small birds such as this will become habituated to the
turbines (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
Habitat Loss Reed bunting were recorded at Forthbank throughout the year
both within and surrounding the application site. Four
pairs/territories were recorded within the application site
during the breeding season with a further ten 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 of feeding grounds by reed bunting. 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 reed bunting breeding habitat (e.g. reeds, tall
grasses and scrub). Consequently the loss of habitat is
predicted to be negligible (neutral).
Not significant N/A at operation N/A
Disturbance &
Not significant
Displacement
Construction of the proposed wind energy development has
the potential to cause some temporary displacement of reed
buntings from some breeding and feeding sites. However,
there is considered to be sufficient availability of suitable
alternative habitat in the wider area (most notably surrounding
Black Devon Wetlands) to support any displaced birds.
Consequently, any displacement of reed buntings is expected
to be of negligible magnitude and the long-term loss of any
significant proportion of the local population is considered
All four turbines will be located within open areas of rough
grassland away from the areas of most suitable habitat for reed
bunting (e.g. reeds, tall grasses and 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 particularly likely that small birds
such as this will become habituated to the turbines (neutral).
Not
significant
Not
significant
November 2010 Chapter 12 Page 69
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