Camilty Wind Farm - Partnerships for Renewables

Camilty Wind Farm
Field Survey Results
11.3.75 No signs of pine marten were found during the Extended Phase 1 Habitat survey although
the species is notoriously difficult to survey. The dense Sitka spruce dominated woodland is
considered to be suboptimal for this species as it offers limited opportunities for foraging or
den sites. In addition to this, pine martens have not been recorded in the region in recent
years and the site falls out with the current recognised distribution for the species. As such
this species is not considered further within this chapter.
Red Squirrel
Legal Protection
11.3.76 Red squirrel is listed on Schedules 5 and 6 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981 (as
amended) under Section 9 of the Act. The red squirrel is also listed in Appendix III of the
Bern Convention and is a UK BAP priority species. It is also included on the Scottish
Biodiversity List and in the West Lothian LBAP(2002).
Desk Study
11.3.77 The NBN gateway database was consulted to determine whether any red squirrel records
had been recorded as present within the vicinity of the site. There are records of red squirrel
on the NBN gateway from 2005 and 2006 near Polbeth; approximately 5 km to the north of
the site, and East Calder; approximately 9 km to the north of the site.
Field Survey Results
11.3.78 During the Extended Phase 1 Habitat survey or any other survey no evidence of red squirrel
presence was found within the survey area. The coniferous plantation on site is dominated
by Sitka spruce which is considered to represent a suboptimal food source for red squirrel.
Consequently, given the absence of field evidence and records of this species at the
proposed Camilty Wind Farm, the likelihood of red squirrel being present on site is
considered to be low. As such this species is not considered further within this chapter.
Reptiles
Legal Protection
11.3.79 All species of reptiles native to the UK are protected through Schedule 5 of the Wildlife &
Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), in respect of Section 9(4) only. The following species
are identified as priority species on the UKBAP: slow worm (Anguis fragilis), adder (Vipera
berus) and common lizard (Lacerta vivipara).
Desk Study
11.3.80 Neither the search of the records provided on the NBN gateway database nor the
consultation process identified any recent records of reptiles within the ecology data search
area.
Field Survey Results
11.3.81 Forest edges and wide forest rides provide potential habitat for reptiles, while forest rides can
also provide good connectivity for reptiles to commute between suitable habitats. No reptiles
or evidence of their presence (e.g. sloughed skin) was recorded during any of the surveys. It
is considered that the majority of the survey area offers little potential habitat for reptiles as it
March 2013 11-26 ES Chapter 11
Terrestrial Ecology
Copyright Partnerships for Renewables Development Co. Ltd 2013 ©