Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
Species
Skylark
Conservation
Value at
Forthbank
District
Effect Construction Significance Operation Significance
highly unlikely (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 Skylark were recorded at Forthbank throughout the year both Minor N/A at operation N/A
within and surrounding the application site. Six
pairs/territories were recorded within the application site
during the breeding season with a further seven located in the
wider survey area. Some of the habitat which will be lost
through the installation of the turbines and associated
infrastructure is likely to include areas which are used as
foraging or feeding grounds by skylark. Furthermore, some of
the habitat loss is expected to affect areas of suitable skylark
breeding habitat (e.g. open, rough grassland). However, it is
considered that the total amount of habitat loss is relatively
small in the context of the site and that there is an abundance
of suitable alternative foraging and breeding habitat both
within and surrounding the application site. Consequently the
loss of habitat is predicted to have an effect of low magnitude.
Disturbance &
Displacement
There is evidence that skylarks are relatively unaffected by
the disturbance associated with wind farms. A study
reviewing the effects of turbine installation at four coastal sites
in Germany found no effect on numbers and distribution of
skylarks 30 . Meanwhile, a review by Pearce-Higgins et al.
(2009) 32 showed only marginal effects up to 200m for
breeding skylarks. Potentially as a worst-case scenario, the 6
pairs breeding within the application site (i.e. up to 200m from
turbines) may be temporarily disturbed or displaced during the
construction phase. However, this effect would be limited to
one breeding season and the birds would be able to
recolonise these breeding sites the following year. Therefore,
the effects are likely to be of low magnitude and the long-term
loss of any significant proportion of the local skylark
population is considered highly unlikely.
Minor
Although skylarks may be relatively tolerant of wind farms, the
six territories which were identified within the application site
were all in close proximity to the cluster of three turbines to the
south east of the site. Consequently, assuming an avoidance
distance of 200m from turbines the amount of available
breeding habitat will be significantly reduced within the
application site. It is therefore likely that several pairs of
breeding skylark will be displaced from the application site thus
reducing the number of skylark territories in future years to
perhaps two or three pairs. However, given this species high
relative abundance, particularly in areas of suitable habitat such
as open farmland such as that which dominates the Lower
Forth Valley, it is unlikely that the displacement and potential
loss of this number of breeding pairs would represent a
significant proportion of the regional or district population.
Furthermore, given the availability of suitable alternative
foraging and breeding habitat surrounding the application site
(e.g. Black Devon Wetlands and nearby arable fields), it is
possible that displaced birds will be able to establish territories
elsewhere in the surrounding area. Consequently the
displacement of breeding skylark is predicted to have an effect
of low magnitude and the long-term loss of any significant
proportion of the local skylark population is considered highly
unlikely.
Minor
November 2010 Chapter 12 Page 70
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