Camilty Wind Farm - Partnerships for Renewables

Camilty Wind Farm
developed canopy cover surrounded by relatively open woodland (Hardey et al., 2009). This,
however, does not correspond closely with the habitat associated with the known nest sites in
the vicinity of the proposed Camilty wind farm site (both of which were located within dense
coupes of sitka spruce-dominated plantation forestry, no more than 15 m in height). This
implies that the nesting habitat used in recent years at Camilty plantation is sub-optimal.
12.5.26 However, it is representative of the remaining areas of as yet unfelled mature/semi-mature
forestry which exists within and immediately surrounding the proposed development site, as
well as of much of the forest habitat in the wider area which is likely to be within the local
goshawk’s core home range (typically 3 km, but up to 10 km, from the nest, or between 1500
ha and 5000 ha of suitable habitat - Rutz, 2006, Hardey et al. 2009, SNH, 2012a).
Consequently, it is reasonable to assume such plantation forest represents the most suitable
nesting habitat available to local birds and is likely to be used for potential nesting attempts in
the future. Therefore, it is possible, albeit unlikely, that goshawks may establish a nest in one
of the remaining areas of unfelled forestry which exists within and immediately surrounding
the proposed development site.
12.5.27 Of the six turbines, only Turbine 6 and an approximately 200 m section of its associated
access track will require the felling of mature/semi mature trees resulting in the loss of
approximately 2.6 ha of potential goshawk nesting habitat from the commercial plantation
(from the approximate 21 ha footprint of the proposed wind farm which will be lost to
commercial forestry over the life time of the wind farm – most of this has recently been felled
or replanted, so will not involve felling mature trees). However, there is at least 1500 ha of
suitable alternative nesting habitat for goshawk in the wider Camilty area, within 3 km of the
2011 and 2012 nest sites (Figure 12.A2.3). Therefore, the likelihood that a future nest would
be established in the footprint of Turbine 6 between now and the commencement of works is
considered to be extremely unlikely. Nonetheless, if this were to occur then this theoretical
nest site would be permanently lost.
12.5.28 Considering the loss of a previous nest site and the potential establishment of new sites
(which may occur in part as a result of the rotational felling practice which will have been in
operation at the site in the three or four years prior to construction), it is anticipated that this
would result in an effect of small magnitude, particularly given the availability of suitable
alternative nesting habitat in the wider area. The regional importance of the site for goshawk
(medium conservation importance) means that such an effect is expected to result in a level
of effect that would be Slight, which is not significant in terms of the EIA Regulations.
Foraging Habitat
12.5.29 With regard to foraging habitat, the vast majority of the proposed wind farm (i.e. Turbines 1-5
and over 90% of the wind farm infrastructure) will be located within the clear-fell and recently
restocked areas of the site. Although goshawks may still forage over and within these open
areas, the scale of habitat modification through construction (relative to the wider availability
of foraging habitat within the home range of these birds) is considered likely to represent an
effect of negligible magnitude only, and hence the level of any effects is likely to be
Negligible.
12.5.30 Only Turbine 6 (which will be installed by key-holing within the forestry), and an
approximately 200 m section of its associated access track will require the felling of trees.
This will result in the loss of approximately 2.6 ha of potential goshawk habitat. Whilst
several of the recorded goshawk flights passed within 100 m of this location (Figure 12.A2.2),
March 2013 12-43 ES Chapter 12
Ornithology
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