Forthbank Wind Energy Development - Partnerships for Renewables

Forthbank Wind Energy Development
12.5.4 Of the 34 wind farm developments identified, pink-footed goose has been identified as at risk
of collisions with turbines for eight developments, although this may be an underestimate as
information on bird species at risk has not been found for all proposals.
12.5.5 Collision risk predictions for pink-footed geese have been found for six sites only: a negligible
risk for a single turbine at FMC technologies, and, based on 99% avoidance, 15 birds per
annum at Earl’s Seat, 21.3 per annum at Standingfauld, 35 per annum at Bracco, 1.3 per
annum at Carcant and 4.8 per annum at Westfield (Appendix 12.2, Table 12.2.8). In addition
the estimated mortality from the Beauly to Denny Power Line is 103 birds per winter.
Combined with the predicted mortality of 55 birds per year at the proposed wind energy
development, the minimum estimate of annual mortality for pink-footed goose from wind farms
and the Power Line within 20km of the Firth of Forth is 214.1 birds (214). This excludes the
predicted mortality for Standingfauld, on the basis of SNH advice that the pink-footed geese
using this area are associated with the South Tayside Goose Roosts SPA, and that there is no
likely significant effect for the Firth of Forth SPA (Matthew Topsfield, renewable casework
energy advisor, 30/09/2010, by email).
12.5.6 Evidence is presented (Appendix 12.2) that the scale of predicted annual mortality of geese
from wind farms in the vicinity of the Firth of Forth is likely to be insignificant in relation to the
annual mortality rate of pink-footed geese wintering in Britain. Thus no cumulative impacts of
the proposed wind energy development are predicted.
12.6 Mitigation
Construction
Proposed Construction Works Schedule
12.6.1 The only significant impact (moderate or above) associated with the construction phase of the
proposed wind energy development relates to the potential disturbance and displacement of
wigeon. However, the effect of construction disturbance is only predicted to have an impact on
this species if the proposed works schedule coincides with the wintering and passage periods
when the wigeon population (and that of other wetland birds) are at their highest at Forthbank
and the wider Forth Estuary in general.
12.6.2 Consequently, it is recommended that the six month construction programme is scheduled to
take place between April and September (inclusive) thus avoiding the most sensitive periods
for wigeon (and other wetland birds). Rescheduling the works programme in this way is
predicted to reduce any impacts of disturbance and displacement on wigeon, and other
species, to a negligible (not significant) level.
12.6.3 If the works schedule cannot be altered to extend between April and September then at the
very least the core winter months of November to February (inclusive), when the largest
concentrations of wetland birds typically occur, should be avoided.
November 2010 Chapter 12 Page 81
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