ACHANY EXTENSION WIND FARM TECHNICAL APPENDIX 9.1 Ornithology Baseline, Collision Risk Modelling and Cumulative Report SEC8606 V01 June 2021 rpsgroup.com REPORT Document status Version Purpose of document Authored by Reviewed by Approved by Review date Dr Simon Zisman, Director Stephen V1.0 Technical Appendix Dr Simon Zisman 20 May 2021 Rob Dalziel, Lockwood Senior Ecologist Approval for issue Dr. Simon Zisman 16 June 2021 The report has been prepared for the exclusive use and benefit of our client and solely for the purpose for which it is provided. Unless otherwise agreed in writing by RPS Group Plc, any of its subsidiaries, or a related entity (collectively 'RPS') no part of this report should be reproduced, distributed or communicated to any third party. RPS does not accept any liability if this report is used for an alternative purpose from which it is intended, nor to any third party in respect of this report. The report does not account for any changes relating to the subject matter of the report, or any legislative or regulatory changes that have occurred since the report was produced and that may affect the report. The report has been prepared using the information provided to RPS by its client, or others on behalf of its client. To the fullest extent permitted by law, RPS shall not be liable for any loss or damage suffered by the client arising from fraud, misrepresentation, withholding of information material relevant to the report or required by RPS, or other default relating to such information, whether on the client’s part or that of the other information sources, unless such fraud, misrepresentation, withholding or such other default is evident to RPS without further enquiry. It is expressly stated that no independent verification of any documents or information supplied by the client or others on behalf of the client has been made. 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Prepared by: Prepared for: RPS SSE Renewables Robert Dalziel Karen Anderson Senior Ecologist Consent Manager Suite D10, Josephs Well, Hanover Walk 1 Waterloo Street Leeds, West Yorkshire LS3 1AB Glasgow, G2 6AY T 01132 206 190 T 01738 341866 E [email protected] E [email protected]> SEC8606 | Achany Extension Ornithology Chapter | V01 | June 2021 rpsgroup.com Page i REPORT Contents 1 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................... 1 Purpose of this Technical Appendix ............................................................................................... 1 Identification of Important Ornithological Features ........................................................................ 1 Designated Sites ............................................................................................................................ 1 Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands SPA and Ramsar Site ........................................... 2 Strath Carnaig and Strath Fleet Moors SPA ..................................................................... 4 Inverpolly, Loch Urigill and Nearby Lochs SPA ................................................................ 4 Lairg and Strath Brora Lochs SPA.................................................................................... 4 Sites of Special Scientific Interest..................................................................................... 5 2 ORNITHOLOGY BASELINE METHODS ................................................................................................. 6 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 6 Desk Study Description .................................................................................................... 6 Survey Methods ............................................................................................................................. 7 Background ....................................................................................................................... 7 Field Surveyors ................................................................................................................. 8 Moorland Breeding Birds .................................................................................................. 8 Breeding Raptor Surveys .................................................................................................. 9 Targeted Water Body Surveys.......................................................................................... 9 Vantage Point Watches ..................................................................................................10 Black Grouse Surveys ....................................................................................................10 Survey Limitations and Restrictions................................................................................11 3 BASELINE RESULTS............................................................................................................................12 Red-throated Diver .......................................................................................................................12 Desk Study on the Wider Population Context ................................................................12 Results of Data Collation ................................................................................................12 Proposed Development Red-throated Diver Survey Results .........................................12 Black-throated Diver .....................................................................................................................12 Desk Study on the Wider Population Context .................................................................12 Results of Data Collation ................................................................................................13 Proposed Development Black-throated Diver Survey Results .......................................13 Golden Eagle ................................................................................................................................13 Desk Study on the Wider Population Context .................................................................13 Results of Data Collation ................................................................................................14 Proposed Development Golden Eagle Survey Results ..................................................14 Hen Harrier ...................................................................................................................................14 Desk Study on the Wider Population Context .................................................................14 Results of Data Collation ................................................................................................15 Proposed Development Hen Harrier Survey Results .....................................................15 Merlin ............................................................................................................................................15 Desk Study on the Wider Population Context .................................................................15 Results of Data Collection...............................................................................................15 Proposed Development Survey Results .........................................................................15 Osprey ..........................................................................................................................................16 Desk Study Data .............................................................................................................16 Results of Data Collection...............................................................................................16 Proposed Development Osprey Survey Results ............................................................16 Peregrine ......................................................................................................................................16 Desk Study Data .............................................................................................................16 Results of Data Collection...............................................................................................17 Proposed Development Peregrine Survey Results ........................................................17 Red Kite ........................................................................................................................................17 SEC8606 | Achany Extension Ornithology Chapter | V01 | June 2021 rpsgroup.com Page ii REPORT Desk Study Data .............................................................................................................17 Results of Data Collection...............................................................................................17 Proposed Development Red Kite Survey Results ..........................................................17 Short-eared owl ............................................................................................................................18 Desk Study Data .............................................................................................................18 Results of Data Collection ...............................................................................................18 Proposed Development Short-eared