A joint study between BTO Cymru and BSG Ecology, with input from Cardiff University, looking at the potential for population level effects of wind farm fatality on red kites has been published.
Overview of Study
Forthcoming wind farm projects include schemes proposed for areas that support large numbers of red kite, following the recovery and range expansion of the species in recent years.
To inform planning decisions the impact on the red kite population of these individual developments, alone and in combination with other wind farm proposals needs to be understood. Without a robust evidence base it is unclear how many of these developments could be consented without impacting on the population.
BSG Ecology recognised the need for and set the scope of the strategic study and brought together an independent research team capable of developing and delivering it. BSG has led liaison with industry to secure funding and the collection of an evidence base with regard to future development proposals.
Approach
To help understand how resilient the red kite population in Wales is to potential fatality caused by collision with proposed wind farms, Population Viability Analysis (PVA) was completed. PVA is a general term that describes models that forecast how populations of species will respond to a change in baseline fatality. The modelling was completed by BTO Cymru, an impartial non-lobbying research-focussed organisation with significant experience undertaking PVA. This has included applying PVA models to understand the potential impacts of offshore wind farms and to determine likely impacts of licensed culling on piscivorous birds due to perceived impacts on freshwater fisheries (the latter has been completed under contract to Natural Resources Wales).
Modelling requires the compilation of data on the Welsh red kite population (including population size, survival rates, productivity and ranging behaviour). Significant data has been provided by the Welsh Kite Trust, by raptor workers, and the Welsh biological records centres (via Cofnod), while BTO has also been able to draw on their own nest records, work to inform the Bird Atlas 2007-11 and national Breeding Bird Survey data to inform the modelling process.
To help understand the scenarios that needed to be considered via the model, data on the potential location and scale of proposed future wind farm development was received from all involved developers. Collision risk analysis for operational, consented, in-planning and well progressed pre-planning schemes has been used to inform these scenarios.
It is hoped that the outcome will inform both the ornithological chapters of wind farm Environmental Statements and Habitats Regulations Assessments.
The full report can be downloaded below.