Camilty Wind Farm - Partnerships for Renewables

Camilty Wind Farm
sites for the same reasons given above in relation to wading bird species. However, at a
distance of 19 km from the SPA, the proposed development is located within the 20 km
foraging range of pink-footed geese. Therefore the birds observed flying over the site during
flight activity surveys could potentially have been associated with the designated site.
However, the core pink-footed goose roosting sites of the Firth of Forth (Skinflats, and
Aberlady Bay) are located over 25 km and 40 km from the site respectively. Consequently,
while some of the birds observed may have frequented these roosts at some point over the
winter, it is unlikely that they will have commuted such distances to travel between these
roost sites and foraging grounds in the vicinity of the proposed development. Therefore, in
relation to the concerns raised by SNH over issues of connectivity, the likelihood of there
being any connectivity between the Firth of Forth SPA, Ramsar Site and SSSI and the
proposed Camilty wind farm site is low. As such, potential impacts on this suite of
designated sites will not be considered any further in this assessment.
12.3.41 With regard to the notified ornithological interests of Easter Inch Moss and Seafield Law LNR
(short-eared owl and reed bunting), only reed bunting was recorded at the proposed Camilty
wind farm site during the entire bird survey programme and even then the species was
represented only by a single individual during one of the winter walkover surveys.
Consequently, the survey data strongly indicates that there is no evidence of any
connectivity between this LNR and the site. As such, potential impacts on this site will not be
considered any further in this assessment.
Reference Populations and Conservation Status
12.3.42 As described in the Assessment of the Significance of Effects section (12.2.35 onwards), the
level of a potential effect on each VOR was determined by considering the magnitude, extent
and duration of the effect in relation to the conservation importance (sensitivity) of the VOR
within the context of the reference population.
12.3.43 According to SNH (2006), an effect is judged to be of concern where it would “adversely
affect the favourable conservation status of a species, or stop a recovering species reaching
favourable conservation status, at international or national level, or regionally”. This is likely
to be the case where a substantial or moderate adverse effect, not likely to be tolerable, is
predicted using the matrix procedure, although expert judgement is applied in all cases.
12.3.44 The term ‘favourable conservation status’ (as articulated within the Habitats Directive) is
defined by SNH (2006) as “the sum of influences acting on it which may affect its long-term
distribution and abundance, within the geographical area of interest (which for the purposes
of the Directive is the EU)”. This interpretation has become increasingly common in court
cases within the context of the Birds Directive. Conservation status is favourable where:
• Population dynamics indicate that the species is maintaining its population size on a
long-term basis as a viable component of its habitats;
• The natural range of the species is not being reduced, nor is likely to be reduced for
the foreseeable future; and
• There is (and will probably continue to be) a sufficiently large habitat to maintain its
populations on a long-term basis.
12.3.45 The conservation status of each VOR is therefore considered at the international, national
and/or regional scale, depending on whether the population is breeding, migratory or
March 2013 12-36 ES Chapter 12
Ornithology
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