NatureScot Commissioned Report 893: Greenshank collision mortality estimate based on ecological and behavioural studies

Observational data can be used to calculate collision risk for species prone to wind farm collisions. But such data is compromised if a major change in habitat will result when the wind farm is built (e.g. clearance of woodland).

If granted consent, the proposed Strathy South wind farm will be sited in an existing block of forestry. This will both alter the habitat and expose breeding greenshank in the surrounding Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands Special Protection Area to an enhanced collision risk.

An alternative approach was thus developed to estimate collision risk, using a model based on known ecological and behavioural studies.

The model’s purpose is to determine levels of flight activity in the breeding season, and hence estimate the collision risk. A sensitivity analysis was carried out to determine which parameter values most affect the collision risk.

Published: 2016
Pages: 22

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