Camilty Wind Farm - Partnerships for Renewables

Camilty Wind Farm
12.3.59 Although some local feral birds may have been present during surveys, with the large
majority of greylag goose flight activity recorded during autumn and winter migration periods
(22 out of 27 flights), the birds recorded flying over the proposed Camilty wind farm site are
likely to be part of the Icelandic-breeding population which winters in the UK. The most
recent census data available from 2011 indicated that the British population reached 119,915
individuals (Mitchell, 2012). Compared to population estimates in 2010 (Mitchell 2011), the
2011 figures represent an increase of 8.1% in the greylag goose population, reflecting the
species long-term trend of continued growth. The traditional roosting sites within the Lothian
and Borders area held between 1018 and 1364 birds over the winter of 2010/11 (October-
February) with the most birds being present in October and December.
12.3.60 Although there has been a redistribution of greylag geese across the UK in recent years, with
more northerly areas now favoured, numbers remain high, indicating that as a migratory
species of international conservation value, it has a favourable conservation status at a
national level. Greylag goose is a widespread migratory species, and although the peak flock
size of 33 individuals over the application site represents > 1% of the regional population,
these were recorded simply overflying the site and neither the site nor the immediately
surrounding area represent important foraging or roosting habitat for the species. As such,
the site is at most of local conservation value (low importance) for the species.
12.4 Topic Specific Design Evolution
12.4.1 The design process for the proposed wind farm is described in Chapter 3: Design Evolution.
Preliminary ornithological results at the time of the Design Workshop were used to ensure
turbines and infrastructure were not located in areas of importance to birds, where possible.
Given the forested nature of the majority of the site, areas of most importance were outwith
the site – such as the ponds to the north, Crosswood reservoir to the south, and surrounding
moorland. The process of moving turbines/ site boundary away from the north, south east
and west of the site ensured that the core site and proposed turbines avoided areas of
particular importance to birds –particularly moorland birds and raptors.
12.5 Potential Significant Effects of the Scheme Prior to Mitigation
12.5.1 This section presents an evaluation of changes predicted during construction, operational
and decommissioning activities against the criteria outlined in the Assessment of the
Significance of Effects section (12.2.35 onwards). The nature of the potential effects of the
development are considered in turn for each VOR.
Establishing the Baseline Situation
12.5.2 As recommended by IEEM (2006), consideration must be given to what the baseline situation
will be at the time of project construction, as it may not be the same as the conditions at the
time of the impact assessment. In order to determine this, it is necessary to try to predict any
changes that will alter conditions prior to the start of the proposed construction.
12.5.3 As the site lies within an area of commercial forestry, a phased felling strategy by FCS is in
place until at least 2047, and therefore will likely cover the whole lifespan of the wind farm.
Phase 1 felling (2013-2017), which includes a large area within the centre of Camilty
Plantation has been concluded within this management block. There are several other large
areas out with this block in peripheral coupes that are still due to be felled within this period .
March 2013 12-39 ES Chapter 12
Ornithology
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