Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
Species
Gannet
Greylag
goose
Conservation
Value at
Forthbank
Negligible
District
Effect Construction Significance Operation Significance
between suitable habitats at Forthbank. However, given the
infrequent presence and low abundance of this species and
considering that birds may still pass through the corridor
between turbines 1 and 2, it is predicted that the proposed wind
energy development will not act as a significant barrier to the
movement of gadwall (neutral).
Collision N/A at construction N/A Although a pair of gadwall was recorded at Black Devon
Wetlands, no gadwall flights were recorded during the flight
activity surveys. Consequently it is reasonable to assume that
this species rarely flies 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 &
Displacement
Gannet were only recorded at Forthbank during the autumn
passage period with birds flying along the river channel of the
Forth Estuary. Gannets are known to enter the Forth Estuary
during the autumn and may even pass overland between the
Firths of Forth and Clyde 23 . However, given the low number
of birds recorded during the Forthbank surveys disturbance
associated from construction activities is not predicted to
adversely affect gannets passing along the river channel.
Consequently any effect is predicted to be of neutral
magnitude.
Not significant Any disturbance associated with the operation and
maintenance of the turbines is not predicted to adversely affect
gannets foraging or commuting along the river (neutral).
Barrier Effect N/A at construction N/A All observations of gannet were recorded within the Forth
Estuary with birds foraging or commuting along the river. No
flights were recorded passing through the proposed wind
energy development and given this species coastal/marine
habits it is extremely unlikely that gannets would ever pass
through the proposed wind energy development.
Consequently, it is reasonable to assume that the proposed
development will not have a barrier effect on the movement of
this species (neutral).
Collision N/A at construction N/A No gannet flights were recorded during the flight activity
surveys. All observations of gannet were recorded within the
Forth Estuary with birds foraging or commuting along the river.
Consequently, it is reasonable to assume that this species
rarely flies 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
Other than the 10 flights which were recorded during the flight
activity surveys during the winter and passage months,
greylag goose was only recorded at Forthbank on one
occasion (February estuary zone count) and was represented
by 8 birds. Given the infrequent presence and low abundance
Given the infrequent presence and low abundance of this
species at Forthbank, as previously mentioned, any
disturbance and subsequent displacement of greylag geese
from the operation of the proposed wind energy development is
predicted to have a negligible effect on this species (neutral).
Not
significant
Not
significant
Not
significant
Not
significant
Not
significant
November 2010 Chapter 12 Page 73
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