Chapter 7.0 Ornithology (prepared under a Breeding Bird Protection Plan (BBPP) for the site) would be undertaken and any raptors, waders, or migratory species of high conservation value. Field surveys and subsequent measures considered necessary to safeguard the breeding attempt (e.g., exclusion zones or assessment using collision risk modelling demonstrated that the likely effects of disturbance and restrictions on timing of works) will be submitted to CCW for agreement before recommencing risk of collisions with turbines are not significant. work. A proposed BBPP is provided in Appendix 7-D, Volume II of this SEI. 2. The supplementary information gathered in 2008 has addressed the information gaps described in 4. As also noted by the original ES, a Habitat Management Plan (HMP) will be instigated to enhance the original ES and requests from Consultees responding to the original assessment. This the habitat beyond the immediate vicinity of the proposed turbines for the benefit of upland information has resulted in: some areas being surveyed for their breeding bird community that breeding waders. Further details of the HMP are provided in Chapter 8: Ecology of this SEI, and an were not covered by the original ES; dedicated intensive surveys in the Development site for outline HMP is presented in Appendix 8-F, Volume II of this SEI. selected breeding waders; resurvey of scarce breeding raptors, and; additional observations on flight activity to ensure more equitable distribution of data across the entire Development site and 7.6.9 Monitoring with respect to the annual cycle of resident species. 1. A post-construction monitoring programme will be implemented, which will involve several 3. The outcome of the assessment of the influence of these supplementary information sources has elements outlined in the original ES and described in detail by the outline proposal for the HMP not materially affected the conclusions of the original ES: the likely effects of the Development on (see Chapter 8: Ecology and Appendix 8-F, Volume II of this SEI). Further details of all bird species are likely to be, at worst, negligible at the regional scale and not significant under implementation are provided in section 7.5 above. the terms of the EIA Regulations. 7.7 Residual Effects and Conclusions of Design Changes 7.10 References 1. Residual effects and conclusions of significance are summarised for all species in Table 7-4. Ref. 7-1 Welsh Ornithological Society, Welsh Assembly Government, The Countryside Council for Wales, The BTO, The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust & RSPB Cymru 2009. The population status of birds in Table 7-4 Summary of Residual Effects Wales 2. RSPB Cymru, Cardiff. Description Nature of Impact Geographic Scale Significance Ref. 7-2 Welsh Assembly Government (2009). List of Species and Habitats of Principal Importance for the Decommissioning existing turbines Short-term disturbance Regional Not significant Conservation of Biological Diversity. Updated January 2009. Land take Long-term displacement Regional Not significant Construction Short-term disturbance Regional Not significant Ref. 7-3 Johnstone, I.G., Thorpe, R.I. & Noble, D.G. 2010. The State of Birds in Wales 6. RSPB Cymru, Operation Long-term disturbance Regional Not significant Cardiff. Long-term collision risk Regional Not significant Ref. 7-4 Pearce-Higgins, J.W., Stephen, L., Langston, R.H.W., Bainbridge, I.P. & Bullman, R. 2009. The Decommissioning proposed turbines Short-term disturbance Regional Not significant distribution of breeding birds around upland windfarms. Journal of Applied Ecology 46, 1323-1331. Grid connection Long-term disturbance Regional Not significant Long-term collision risk Regional Not significant Ref. 7-5 Thomas, R. 1999. Renewable Energy and Environmental Impacts in the UK: Birds and Wind Turbines. Unpubl. Master of Research Degree Thesis, University College London, UK. 2. Considering that collision risk is very likely to be lower for red kite, the Development should provide Ref. 7-6 Whitfield, D.P., Green, M. & Fielding, A.H. 2010. Are breeding Eurasian curlew Numenius arquata for a net beneficial long-term effect over current baseline conditions for this species of high Nature displaced by wind energy developments? Unpublished Report. Natural Research Projects, Conservation Importance. Similarly, kestrel collisions should probably be reduced as a result of the Banchory, UK. (See Technical Appendix A7-B.) Development, leading to a positive effect on the local population. Assuming that the objectives of the HMP are realised, net long-term benefits are also likely to be evident for breeding waders of Ref. 7-7 Ruddock, M. & Whitfield, D.P. 2007. A review of disturbance distances in selected bird species. moderate Nature Conservation Importance (notably curlew and lapwing) amongst other species Report from Natural Research (Projects) Ltd to Scottish Natural Heritage. Natural Research, and habitats. Banchory, UK. Ref. 7-8 Whitfield, D.P., Ruddock, M. & Bullman, R. 2008. Expert opinion as a tool for quantifying bird 3. The likely adverse effects of the Development were evaluated in accordance with the original ES tolerance to human disturbance. Biological Conservation 141, 2708-2717. and the significance of each potential effect stated. It is concluded that the likely effects of the Development on all bird species are not significant under the terms of the EIA Regulations. Ref. 7-9 Hötker, H., Thomsen, K.-M. & Jeromin, H. 2006. Impacts on biodiversity of exploitation of renewable energy sources: the example of birds and bats - facts, gaps in knowledge, demands for 7.8 Cumulative Effects further research, and ornithological guidelines for the development of renewable energy exploitation. Michael-Otto-Institut im NABU, Bergenhusen. 1. Potential cumulative effects on birds are likely only when there is a realistic expectation of adverse Ref. 7-10 Ecogen. 1991. Environmental Statement for the Proposed Windfarms at Penrhyddlan and effects by two or more developments. The effects of Llandinam Windfarm on all species are Llidiartywaun Vol. 2, Ecogen, October 1991. predicted to be adverse-negligible, neutral or beneficial and therefore it is appropriate to conclude that the Development would not elevate any effects identified in respect of other proposed or Ref. 7-11 Stewart, G.B., Pullin, A.S. & Coles, C.F. 2007. Poor evidence-base for assessment of windfarm existing developments. impacts on birds. Environmental Conservation 34, 1-11. Ref. 7-12 Band, W., Madders, M., & Whitfield, D.P. 2007. Developing field and analytical methods to assess 7.9 Statement of Effects avian collision risk at wind farms. In: de Lucas, M., Janss, G.F.E. & Ferrer, M. (eds.) Birds and Wind Farms: Risk Assessment and Mitigation, pp. 259-275. Quercus, Madrid. 1. The ornithological assessments of the original ES and this SEI chapter have determined that the Development site comprises an upland bird community typical of unimproved acidic grassland, mire and heathland habitats in Wales. There is no evidence that the site is markedly important to December 2011 Llandinam Windfarm Repowering and Extension Environmental Statement – Supplementary Environmental Information Page 8 of Chapter 7 Chapter 8.0 Ecology Table 8-1 Consultation Responses 8.0 Ecology Consultee Comments on the Original ES Comments/Action Taken Additional National Vegetation Classification An additional NVC Survey was undertaken in 8.1 Introduction (NVC) survey will be required 2008 and is discussed in this chapter. 1. This chapter of the Supplementary Environmental Information (SEI) report provides an assessment The layout has been amended to avoid Valley of the changes to the ecological impacts associated with the revised layout for the proposed mire where possible, as described in Chapter 3: repowering and extension of the Llandinam Windfarm (“the Development”), relative to those Alternatives and Design Evolution. Section 8.6 of Concerns over loss of valley mire this chapter summarises these changes and presented within the original Environmental Statement (ES). This chapter also provides a discusses their effect on ecology. A Valley mire description of the further ecology studies that have been undertaken since the submission of the Countryside survey was undertaken 2009 and is discussed in original ES in May 2008. Council for sections 8.5 and 8.6 of this chapter. Wales (CCW) A peat depth map has been produced and is 2. Since the production of the original ES, the layout of the Proposed Development has been altered described and referred to in Chapter 12 so as to take into account consultee comments on the original application. Changes to the Further works on peat depth required Geology, Hydrology and Hydrogeology. Section windfarm design are presented in Chapter 3: Site Selection and Design Evolution of this SEI, and 8.6.5 of this chapter discusses peat depth in in summary the main changes include: more detail. A further survey was undertaken 2008 and is Removal of three turbines in the northwestern area of the application site; Additional information on bats required presented in Appendix 8-C, Volume II of this SEI and summarised in this chapter. Relocation of twelve turbines and the meteorological masts; A survey was undertaken in 2009, the results of Assess and survey for Great Crested Newts Amendments to the internal access track layout (taking into account landowner which are discussed in this chapter. requirements/concerns and attempting to utilise as much existing track as possible in order to White-clawed Crayfish are considered further in minimise additional disturbance to ecological and hydrological receptors) and the location of Investigate White-clawed Crayfish paragraph 8.5.6 of this chapter. the electrical substation; and Turbines T13 and T25 have been relocated to Consideration of the abnormal load vehicle route from Newport docks to the application site avoid an area of slightly deeper peat, as and the associated accommodation works that will be required. This route is discussed in discussed in Chapter 3: Site Selection and Chapter 9: Traffic, Access and Transport and presented in Figure S9-1.