appendix 9.b breeding bird survey report - e.on/media/pdfs/generation/wind/onshore/... · corn...

l:\data\projects\ea-210\24421 winwick wind farm (sub file)\24421 winwick es final.doc © Entec UK Limited May 2010

Appendix 9.B Breeding bird survey report

l:\data\projects\ea-210\24421 winwick wind farm (sub file)\24421 winwick es final.doc © Entec UK Limited May 2010

Winwick Windfarm, Northamptonshire Breeding Bird Survey Report

October 2009

Final

ISSUING OFFICE:

Arden House Deepdale Business Park

Ashford Road Bakewell

Derbyshire DE45 1GT

TEL: 01629 815544

FAX: 01629 815577

Web: www.bsg-ecology.com Email: [email protected] Offices in: Bakewell, Oxford, Berwick-upon-Tweed & Monmouth

Registered in: Cardiff No. OC328772 Registered address: Arden House Deepdale Business Park Ashford Road Bakewell Derbyshire DE45 1GT

Members: A list of members is available at each office.

Client E.ON Ltd

Job Name Winwick Wind Farm

Report title Winwick Wind Farm Breeding Bird Survey

File reference

3844.01_001_bbsrep_kv_eon.doc

Signed Name Position Date

Originated

Dr Kate Vincent Senior Ecologist 09/10/09

Reviewed

Guy Miller Principal Ecologist 26/10/09

E.ON Ltd Winwick Wind Farm Breeding Bird Survey

3844.01_002_bbs_rep_final_kv_eon.doc i

Report Contents

1 Introduction..................................................................................... 1 1.1 Site Description ........................................................................................ 1 1.2 Proposed Works ....................................................................................... 1 1.3 Aims of Study............................................................................................ 1

2 Methodology................................................................................... 1 2.1 Desk Study................................................................................................ 1 2.2 Field Survey .............................................................................................. 1

3 Results ............................................................................................. 2 3.1 Desk Study................................................................................................ 2 3.2 Field Survey .............................................................................................. 2

4 Assessment...................................................................................... 4 4.1 Constraints on Study Information ............................................................ 4 4.2 Potential Impacts ...................................................................................... 4

5 Recommendations ........................................................................... 7

6 Appendix 1: Data Trawl Results....................................................... 8

7 Appendix 2: Figure 1; Breeding Bird Map....................................... 9


3844.01_002_bbs_rep_final_kv_eon.doc Page 1

1 Introduction

1.1 Site Description The site comprises a working farm, located to the east of Winwick village in Northamptonshire, centred at OS grid reference SP 640 746. The B4036 road is situated adjacent to the eastern site boundary, and the remainder of the site is bounded by further farmland. The site consists of a series of arable and improved grassland fields. Field boundaries are frequently formed by hedgerows, with one small stream and occasional drainage ditches. A number of farm buildings and associated hard-standing access tracks are located to the east of the site. Warren Covert, an area of mature mixed woodland, is present to the south of the site. In addition, a number of small plantation broadleaved woodlands are present throughout the site.

1.2 Proposed Works E.ON Renewables Ltd proposes to develop a windfarm of up to eight turbines, plus associated site infrastructure including access tracks (E.ON Plan Reference WW_001).

1.3 Aims of Study The purpose of the breeding bird survey is to document the breeding bird community and estimate the abundance of the breeding bird species. This is required to assess the likelihood of any impacts upon the breeding bird community in association with the proposed development.

2 Methodology

2.1 Desk Study A desktop study was carried out in November 2008 (as part of the Extended Phase 1 survey and report, reference 3844_002_rep_lrj_eon 26/11/08) to determine the presence of any protected and notable species records or designated statutory or non-statutory sites of conservation value (such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest or Local Wildlife Sites) within a 5km radius of the study site. Northamptonshire Biodiversity Records Centre was contacted to supply this information.

2.2 Field Survey The survey methodology broadly followed the ‘Common Bird Census’ (CBC) devised by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO). This technique records the location and movements of individual birds present within a defined survey area. Three visits were undertaken during the bird breeding season in suitable weather conditions, between the hours of 7am and 10.30 am, when birds are most active. Senior Ecologist Kate Vincent MIEEM and Principal Ecologist Guy Miller MIEEM carried out the surveys. The dates and weather conditions during these surveys are detailed in Table 1. A pre-determined transect route was walked throughout the survey area which included all field boundaries within the site. Records were made of birds singing or calling, repeated territorial calls, territorial aggression, displaying, adults carrying food or nesting material, juvenile birds and family groups.



Table 1: Breeding bird survey dates and weather conditions Survey date Weather conditions

29th April 2009 Sunny, 4/8 cloud, moderate breeze 14th May 2009 Moderate southerly breeze, 6/8 cloud, slight drizzle, clearing during survey 19th June 2009 1/8 cloud, blue sky, sunny periods, cool NE breeze

3 Results

3.1 Desk Study The data search provided by Northamptonshire BRC lists over 100 bird species recorded within 6km of the site, a full list is provided in Appendix 1. The search did not provide any specific data on breeding the status of the species listed. Bird species within 5km of the site, included skylark Alauda arvensis, cuckoo Cuculus canorus, yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella, yellow wagtail Motacilla flava, spotted flycatcher Muscicapa striata, curlew Numenius arquata, willow tit Poecile montanus, tree sparrow Passer montanus, grey partridge Perdix perdix, starling Sturnus vulgaris, song thrush Turdus philomelos and lapwing Vanellus vanellus. These species are all Red List species of high conservation concern1, UK BAP Priority Species2, and Species of Principal Importance under the NERC Act 2006.

3.2 Field Survey A full list of bird species recorded during the site surveys is given in Table 2. This table details which of the species recorded have been categorised as birds of conservation concern (BOCC)’1. Further details in relation to conservation status are set out in section 4. The breeding status of birds encountered within the site are classified in three categories: confirmed, probable and possible breeders3 and are shown in Table 2. The survey evidence required to allow the assignment of these categories is explained below: Confirmed breeding: Distraction display or injury feigning;

Used nests or eggshells found (occupied or laid within the survey period); Recently fledged young or downy young; Adults entering or leaving a nest site in circumstances indicating occupied nest or an adult sitting on nest; Adults carrying food for young or faecal sacs; Nest containing eggs; Nest with young seen or heard.

Probable breeding: Pairs observed in suitable nesting habitat in breeding season; Permanent territory presumed through registration or territorial behaviour (song etc.) on at least two different days, a week apart, at the same place; Display and courtship; Visiting probable nest site; Agitated behaviour or anxiety calls from adults; Building nest or excavating nest hole.

Possible breeding: Species observed in breeding season in possible nesting habitat. Singing male(s) present or breeding calls heard in breeding season.

1 Eaton, M. et al. Birds of Conservation Concern 3: The Population Status of Birds in the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. British Birds 102: 296-341 2 www.ukbap.org.uk 3 European Ornithology Atlas Committee, 1979. Categories of Breeding Bird Evidence



A total of 44 bird species were recorded during the breeding bird survey transects with a further species recorded during night-time surveys, Ten of these species are considered to be of high conservation concern and ten are of medium conservation concern and the remainder either low conservation concern or have no status. The details of where these birds were recorded are shown on a breeding bird territories map in Figure 1, within Appendix 2. Table 2: Birds recorded at Winwick Warren during the breeding bird survey 2009

Species Habitat association Breeding status Conservation status1

Barn owl Tyto alba Hedge/field margins Pr Amber Black-headed gull Larus ridibundus Arable fields N Amber Blackbird Turdus merula Hedge/woodland B Green Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla Hedge/woodland Pr Green Blue tit Cyanistes caeruleus Hedge/woodland B Green Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula Hedge Pr Amber Buzzard Buteo buteo Woodland/mature

trees Pr Green

Carrion crow Corvus corone corone Woodland/mature trees

Pr Green

Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Hedge/woodland Pr Green Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita woodland Pr Green Collared dove Streptopelia decaocto

Open fields/ mature trees/ woodland

Po Green

Corn bunting Miliaria calandra Arable fields/hedge Pr Red Cuckoo Cuculus canorus Hedge/woodland Po Red Dunnock Prunella modularis Hedge/woodland Pr Amber Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Arable fields/hedge Pr Green Great tit Parus major Hedge/woodland Pr Green Greenfinch Carduelis chloris Hedge/woodland Pr Green House martin Delichon urbica Open fields Pr Amber House sparrow Passer domesticus Hedge/residential B Red Jackdaw Corvus monedula Woodland/mature

trees Po Green

Jay Garrulus glandarius Hedge /woodland Pr Green Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Fields/field margins B Amber Lapwing Vanellus vanellus Arable fields Po Red Linnet Carduelis cannabina Arable fields/hedge Pr Red Long-tailed tit Aegithalos caudatus Hedge/woodland Po Green Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Pond Pr Amber Magpie Pica pica Hedge/woodland Pr Green Mistle thrush Turdus viscivorus Hedge/woodland Po Amber Pheasant Phasianus colchicus Field margins/hedge B N/A Red-legged partridge Alectoris rufa Field margins/hedge B N/A Rook Corvus frugilegus Woodland/fields B Green Robin Erithacus rubecula Hedge/woodland Pr Green Skylark Alauda arvensis Open fields & margins B Red Song thrush Turdus philomelos Hedge/mature trees Po Red Starling Sturnus vulgaris Arable

fields/residential Pr Red

Swallow Hirundo rustica Open fields Pr Amber Swift Apus apus Open fields Po Amber Whitethroat Sylvia communis Hedge/woodland Pr Green Willow warbler Phylloscopus trochilus

Hedge/woodland Po Green

Wood pigeon Columba palumbus Woodland/mature trees

Pr Green

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Hedge/woodland Pr Green Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella Hedge Pr Red



Species Habitat association Breeding status Conservation status1

Yellow wagtail Motacilla flava Arable fields/hedge Po Red Tawny owl Strix aluco Woodland Po Green Site status: B = Confirmed breeding, Pr = Probable breeding, Po = Possible breeding, N = Not breeding. Arable or grass pasture fields bounded by hedges form a significant habitat component within the site. Thirty one bird species are confirmed or probable breeders in these areas including the following species which are of high conservation concern; skylark, house sparrow, yellow wagtail, linnet, yellowhammer and corn bunting. Arable field margins and tall ruderal vegetation provides foraging habitat for a number of species such as goldfinch, house sparrow, song thrush, blackbird and hirundines (feeding on aerial insects). Lapwing was also seen during one survey visit. The arable fields provide a potentially suitable breeding habitat for this species but breeding was not confirmed. Mature trees form a notable habitat feature within the site and are found within the hedgerows, along the stream banks and within several small broadleaved plantations. Several species were found to be confirmed or probably breeding in these areas of which song thrush is of high conservation concern and dunnock is of medium conservation concern. Mature trees are also important for roosting birds both during and outside the breeding season and as perching areas for foraging raptors. Watercourses are present in the form of streams and wet ditches which are generally associated with hedgerows. A pond is also present. Mallards were observed within the pond during the survey. In summary 8 species are confirmed breeders, twenty four species are probable breeders, eleven species are possible breeders and one species are considered unlikely to breed within the site.

4 Assessment

4.1 Constraints on Study Information No constraints have been identified in relation to the results of the survey. As a more general point species, including some which are protected by law, are highly mobile and may colonise a site at any time. Natural environments may change and the survey results reported here will therefore become less reliable as time progresses.

4.2 Potential Impacts

4.2.1 Conservation status The BOCC1 listing assesses bird species on the basis of their population status, reflecting changes in their abundance and range. ‘Red List’ species are of high nature conservation concern and are those that are Globally Threatened according to international (IUCN) criteria; those whose population or range has declined rapidly in recent years; and those that have declined historically. The reasons for these declines are likely to vary between species and although they are not fully understood, they are commonly associated with changes in farming practices over the same period4. Amber List’ species are of medium conservation concern and are those with an unfavourable conservation status in Europe; those whose population or range has declined moderately in recent years; those whose population has declined historically but made a substantial recent recovery; rare breeders; and those with internationally important or localised populations.

4 Sirawardena, G.M., Baillie, S.R., Buckland, S.T., Fewster, R.M., Marchant, J.H. and Wilson, J.D., 1998. Trends in the abundance of farmland birds: a quantitative comparison of smoothed Common Birds Census indices. Journal of Applied Ecology 35: 24-43.



Of the species recorded on site ten are listed as species of high conservation concern (i.e. on the UK Red List); corn bunting, house sparrow, cuckoo, lapwing, linnet, skylark, song thrush, starling, yellowhammer and yellow wagtail). Of these skylark and house sparrow are confirmed to be breeding; corn bunting, starling, yellowhammer and linnet are probable breeders and cuckoo, lapwing, yellow wagtail and song thrush are possibly breeding on the site. Ten species (barn owl, black-headed gull, bullfinch, dunnock, house martin, kestrel, mallard, mistle thrush, swallow and swift) are listed as species of medium conservation concern (i.e. on the UK Amber List). Of the Amber listed species, kestrel is the only confirmed species to be breeding on the site. Barn owl, bullfinch, dunnock, house martin, mallard and swallow are probable breeders.

4.2.2 Legislation and policy background All nesting birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which makes it an offence to intentionally kill, injure or take any wild bird or take, damage or destroy its nest whilst in use or being built, or take or destroy its eggs Twelve of the red and amber list species identified above, are also listed as Species of Principal Importance under Section 41 of the NERC Act5; and eleven species are Priority Species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP)6. The Northants BAP identifies priority habitats and species which are important at the local level and is strongly influenced by those species and habitats identified in the UK BAP. Species of Principal Importance are a material consideration in planning terms according to Planning and Policy Statement 9 (PPS9)7 (see Table 3 below). Table 3: UK BAP bird species and Species of Principal Importance recorded within the site Bird Species UK BAP Priority Species Species of Principal Importance Dunnock House sparrow Skylark Song thrush Yellowhammer Linnet Cuckoo Corn bunting Yellow wagtail Bullfinch Starling Lapwing

PPS9 gives guidance on the treatment of such species and states that “local authorities should take measures to protect the habitats of these species from further decline through policies in local development documents and should ensure that they are protected from the adverse effects of development, where appropriate, by using planning conditions or obligations. The conservation of these species should be promoted through the incorporation of beneficial biodiversity designs within developments”. In addition eleven of the species recorded within the site are also listed as a priority within the Northamptonshire Biodiversity Action Plan these are skylark, linnet, cuckoo, yellowhammer, corn bunting, yellow wagtail, house sparrow, bullfinch, starling, song thrush and lapwing.

5 Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 6 Anon (1995) Biodiversity: UK Steering Group Report. HMSO 7 ODPM 2005 Planning Policy Statement 9: Biodiversity And Geological Conservation. HMSO, London



4.2.3 Evaluation

To assess the overall breeding bird assemblage, Fuller (1980)8 describes a method for assessing the ornithological interest of sites, whereby the importance is defined by the number of breeding species present as shown in the centre column of Table 4 below.

Table 4: Breeding bird assessment using the number of breeding bird species.

Number of breeding species Level of Importance

Fuller (1980) Adapted criteria

Local 25-49 species <25

District - 25-49

County 50-69 50-69

Regional 70-84 70-84

National 85+ 85+

For the purposes of this assessment, Fuller’s geographical levels have been adapted, so that Fuller’s “local” importance is assumed to correspond to District importance as described in the IEEM guidelines (IEEM, 2006). An assemblage comprising fewer than 25 species is therefore considered to be of local importance or less. Since the publication of the criteria in 1980, declines have occurred in many farmland bird populations, and for this reason it is therefore judged appropriate to recalibrate the categories slightly downwards in this way.

The combined total of confirmed and probable breeding species is 32 species, with a further eleven species identified as possible breeders. For this reason the bird population within the site is likely to fall into the district importance category. Weight is added to this evaluation by the presence of ten species of high conservation concern and ten species of medium conservation concern within the site.

4.2.4 Construction phase impacts The potential impact on the breeding birds will be, to a large extent dependent on the precise location of the work which will be required during the construction phase of the development. For example, any works which will require the removal of sections of hedgerows or mature trees, or the loss of field margin habitats, are considered to have the greatest potential for negative impact. Work undertaken to develop the site, if it were carried out during the bird breeding season (March to August) has the potential to damage nests and disturb breeding birds and is an offence under Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. In addition, the significant loss of these habitats could potentially have a negative impact on a number of bird species including several species of conservation concern, by reducing the amount of suitable breeding habitat within the site. Barn owl, a scheduled one species, has been recorded within the site. Nesting has not been confirmed but several artificial nest boxes are present on mature trees within the site. It is possible that these could be used in the future by nesting barn owls. If nesting barn owl were present, and work was carried out in close enough proximity to the nest to disturb the nesting birds (both adults and young), this could amount to an offence under the schedule one legislation.

4.2.5 Operational phase impacts Providing they are located at an appropriate distance from hedgerows, mature trees and field margins, the operational wind turbines are unlikely to give rise to a significant impact on the majority of bird species which breed within the site. The principal exceptions to this being 8 Fuller, R.J., (1980), A method for assessing the ornithological interest of sites for conservation. Biological Conservation 17: 229-239



skylark, buzzard, kestrel and lapwing. Skylark nests and feeds on the ground in arable and grass pasture fields and will repeatedly engage in song-flight behaviour close to the nest site often ascending vertically up to 150m. This flight behaviour has the potential to bring the birds into the rotor swept zone. This species is widely distributed in suitable habitats and therefore any impact from bird strike or avoidance is unlikely to be significant at beyond a site/local level. Any loss of breeding habitat as a result of birds avoiding areas close to the turbines (displacement) could be affected by mitigation in other areas of the site. Buzzard because of its large size and soaring flight behaviour often flies within heights which could put them at risk from collision. As a general guide, the population of this species have increased significantly over the last twenty tears and as a consequence buzzard is one of the most common widespread raptors in the UK and therefore although an impact is possible, generally the significance of such an impact would be unlikely to be significant beyond a site/local level. Kestrel can also be at risk of collision because of its hovering flight behaviour. Similarly, this species is common and widespread, but is on the amber list due to its status as a Species of European Conservation Concern1. It’s possible that an impact could occur but again such an impact is unlikely to be significant beyond a site/local level. Lapwing is another species which could potentially be at risk from collision, however since no breeding territories were identified, this species was only recorded once flying through the site; it is unlikely to be at risk as a breeding species. Mallard was the only wildfowl species recorded within the site. This species is widespread and common across the UK and therefore any impact from bird strike or avoidance is unlikely to be significant at beyond a site/local level.

5 Recommendations

5.1 Impact avoidance during construction Negative impacts on breeding birds such as song thrush, yellowhammer, corn bunting, yellow wagtail and house sparrow could be avoided by retaining hedgerows, mature tree and field margin habitats on the site. Ground clearance and construction work should be carried out outside of the bird nesting season (March – August) to avoid any impacts on nesting birds. If this is not possible then a prior check for the presence of breeding birds should be made before work commences, although it should be noted that if breeding birds are present the works would have to be delayed until after the birds have finished nesting.

5.2 Compensation/mitigation There is potential for the presence of the operational wind turbines to affect skylark on the site. Although the individual impacts of skylark losses are not considered to be significant beyond a site/local level. Such an impact could be mitigated by the creation of ‘skylark plots’ in areas of the site at a distance from the turbines. Skylark plots are commonly undertaken by landowners participate in Higher Level Stewardship agreements, and are ideally located in fields that are more than 5ha in size, with an open aspect and sown with winter cereals.

5.3 Suggested enhancement Corn bunting, as well as being a bird of conservation concern and a UK BAP species, has a very localised population within Northamptonshire and is included on the red data list for the county. This species is a probable breeder within the site and there is potential for the construction



phase of the development to affect foraging habitat for this species. Although not a legal requirement there are several prescriptions that can be undertaken within the Entry and Higher Environmental Stewardship (HLS) agreements that accommodate improving arable habitat for corn buntings. To improve nesting habitat for corn bunting and other species such as yellowhammer, the use of wild bird seed mixtures, low-input cereals or undersown cereals to provide a dense crop favourable for nesting should be encouraged. Under HLS a wild bird seed mixture completely made up of cereals can be sown, or unharvested conservation headlands for nesting corn buntings can be created, which would also provide winter food. The creation of wide, rough grass buffer strips, ditch banks and field corners around arable fields, will provide insect food for birds such as corn bunting and yellowhammer to feed their young. During the winter months, fields of overwintered stubbles and rotational set-aside should be unmanaged for as long as possible through the winter and spring.



6 Appendix 1: Data Trawl Bird Results (6km from Winwick Warren)



7 Appendix 2: Figure 1; Breeding Bird Map

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