Birds and wind farms

The Wildlife Survey Unit are experienced in undertaking bird studies in relation to onshore wind farms. We offer the following surveys, all of which follow survey methodologies recommended by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) in their 2010 document 'Survey methods for use in assessing the impacts of onshore windfarms on bird communities'.

  • Vantage Point Watch: A survey method designed to record flight activity of bird species susceptible to collision with wind turbines. These surveys can be undertaken during the breeding season and/or during the wintering season depending on the bird assemblage present on or flying over the site. Data from these surveys is used in Collision Risk Models to estimate the impacts of any proposed wind farm development

  • Common Birds Census (3 visit): This is a scaled-down version of the standard Common Birds Census and is a methodology specifically put forward by SNH to survey lowland bird species in relation to birds and wind farm developments

  • Brown and Shepherd: This is a method designed to census upland breeding wader populations during the breeding season, early April to late June. This survey methods records the number of territories or breeding pairs of upland breeding waders such as Golden Plover, Dunlin, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Curlew and Redshank. This methodology is particularly appropriate for upland areas proposed for wind farm development

  • Wintering Bird Survey: This is a 3-visit survey based on the Common Birds Census territory mapping technique. It is designed to identify the use of the site by birds during the winter period, October to March. The survey produces a species list for each visit and then peak counts for each species during the winter period

  • Species-specific survey: Certain species require certain methodologies to record breeding activity. In relation to wind farms these can include species such as both Black-throated and Red-throated Divers; raptor species such as Hen Harrier, Merlin, Peregrine or other species such as Nightjar. These surveys identify nest sites, breeding success and may provide details on territory size and limits

As data quality is of the utmost importance in bird surveys and impact assessments, all surveyors used by The Wildlife Survey Unit are highly experienced ornithologists.

For information regarding birds and wind farms please consult the SNH's website for the recently updated 'Guidance and information specific to bird interests'.
Picture
Svalbard Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis) - Two SPA's are designated in the UK to protected the wintering and migrating population
Picture
Red Kite (Milvus milvus) - A species at risk of collisions with wind turbines
Picture
Dunlin (Calidris alpina) - A species susceptible to habitat loss from turbine footprints and infrastructure