Wind Farms & Birds
The RSPB stated in its 2004 information leaflet 'Wind Farms and Birds', that "in the UK, we have not so far witnessed any major adverse effects on birds associated with wind farms". This statement is still true today and it is important that developers work hard to maintain this position by working with the relevant statutory consultees and other relevant organisations. The organisations and bodies developers consult include:
Natural England - statutory consultee in England
Scottish Natural Heritage - statutory consultee in Scotland
Countryside Council for Wales - statutory consultee in Wales
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds - non statutory consultee
These organisations are consulted at the very beginning of the development process to agree the detail of the bird studies to be carried out during the development work.
Bird studies often extend over a breeding season and are required to investigate issues such as feeding locations, nesting sites, flight routes, migratory routes and what bird species are present on and around the site. By gathering this data it is possible to incorporate buffer zones around nesting sites and avoid common flight routes. All of the data gathered will be used in conjunction with the information available on the behaviour of the relevant bird species i.e. the height they fly etc.
Once all the study work has been completed it will be included as part of the planning application to be scrutinised by the relevant organisations to ensure that the wind farm is well-designed and well-located in relation to local birdlife.
By going through a thorough and inclusive design process wind farm developments in the UK can maintain their current record of successfully coexisting with birdlife.
Further Information
The RSPB have adopted a wind farm policy detailed on their website.
Birdlife International provides guidelines on wind farm selection and environmental assessment in their 'Positioning Statement on Wind Farms and Birds' document.
The British Wind Energy Association, English Nature, RSPB and WWF have produced a document called 'Wind Farm Development and Nature Conservation' to offer guidance to nature organisations and developers consulting over wind farm proposals in England.
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has produced guidance and information relating to wind farms and birds. This information covers five areas:
- Bird survey methods for use in assessing the impacts of onshore windfarms on bird communities
- Assessing collision risks
- Significance of impacts on birds within or affecting designated areas
- Significance of impacts on birds outwith designated areas
- Post-construction monitoring of bird impacts
This information can be found on the 'Assessing Impacts of Wind Farms on Birds' section of the SNH website.