Appendix 7.1 Ecological Desk Study · Appendix 7.1 Ecological Desk Study Introduction Overview...
Transcript of Appendix 7.1 Ecological Desk Study · Appendix 7.1 Ecological Desk Study Introduction Overview...
RIGGHILL WIND FARM i APPENDIX 7.1
Appendix 7.1 Ecological Desk Study
RIGGHILL WIND FARM ii APPENDIX 7.1
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RIGGHILL WIND FARM 1 APPENDIX 7.1
Appendix 7.1 Ecological Desk Study
Introduction
Overview
ITPEnergised was appointed by Burcote Wind Ltd to undertake an ecological desk study for area of land south-
east of Skelmorlie (hereafter referred to as ‘the Site’). The Site has central Ordnance Survey Grid Reference NS
21329 66130.
This report describes the methods used to gather and record ecological baseline information for the Site and
summarises the findings of the desk study.
Site Description
The Site is situated in North Ayrshire, Scotland and is located approximately 3.8km north-east of the town of
Largs and 1km south-east of the village of Skelmorlie. The Site covers approximately 328ha of predominately
grassland. Several small streams and tributaries cross the Site, feeding into Skelmorlie Water, within Skelmorlie
Glen, which bisects the Site centrally, running east to west. Due to the extensive presence of watercourses and
flushes across the Site, the area supports a variety of bog and wetland habitats. The fields surrounding Skelmorlie
Glen are predominately utilised for grazing livestock.
Development Proposal
The ecological desk study was undertaken to inform the future development of a wind farm within the Site (’the
Proposed Development’).
Legislation
Full consideration has been given to all relevant nature conservation legislation when carrying out this
assessment. This includes the following:
The Conservation of Natural Habitats and Wild Flora and Fauna (the Habitats Directive) 1992
(92/43/3EEC);
Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the
conservation of wild birds (2009/147/EC);
The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (as amended);
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended);
The Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 (as amended); and
The Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 (as amended).
Biodiversity Priorities
Scottish Biodiversity List
Scottish Ministers created the Scottish Biodiversity List (SBL) (Scottish Government, 2013) in 2005 to satisfy the
requirements under Section 2(4) of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 and assist public bodies in
carrying out conservation of biodiversity, as well as to provide the general public with information regarding
conservation within Scotland. The SBL comprises species and habitats listed using both scientific and social
criteria. Only scientific criteria are considered relevant to this report. They include the following:
All UK Priority Species present in Scotland;
RIGGHILL WIND FARM 2 APPENDIX 7.1
Species which Scotland has an international obligation to safeguard;
All species defined as nationally rare at a UK level that are present in Scotland;
Species with populations present (resident, wintering or breeding) in 5 or fewer 10km squares or sites in
Scotland;
All species that are endemic to Scotland;
Any sub-species or race that is widely recognised and accepted by the scientific (or other relevant) community
and that is endemic to Scotland, if it also meets one of the other criteria; and
Natural and semi-natural habitats that are known to be particularly important for supporting assemblages of
plant or animal groups that are data deficient, such as fungi, bryophytes, lichens, algae and invertebrates.
Local Biodiversity Action Plan
The draft North Ayrshire Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) covers the time period 2019-2031 and will work
towards the following vision for North Ayrshire’s biodiversity by 2030 (North Ayrshire Council, 2019):
Ecosystem restoration;
Investment in natural capital;
Quality greenspace for health and education benefits;
Conserving wildlife;
Sustainable management of land and freshwater; and
Sustainable management of marine and coastal ecosystems.
The North Ayrshire LBAP has three central aims:
‘Protect and restore biodiversity on land and seas, and to support healthier ecosystems;
Connect people with the natural world, or their health and well-being and to involve them
more in decisions about their environment; and
Maximise the benefits for North Ayrshire of a diverse natural environment and the services it
provides, contributing to sustainable economic growth.’
An assessment of the potential and residual ecological effects of the Proposed Development (before and
following the implementation of mitigation) is presented below in Tables 1 and 2. The assessment of effects is
considered for construction, operation and decommissioning of the Proposed Development.
Methods
The ecological desk study was carried out using a range of publicly available information sources and data
provided by South West Scotland Environmental Information Centre (SWSEIC) (SWSEIC, 2019) and Glasgow
Museums Resource Centre (Glasgow Museums Resource Centre, 2019) to provide an understanding of the
ecological context of the Survey Area.
In terms of nature conservation designations, the desk study identified international and national statutory
designations, such as Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Sites of Special
Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and National Nature Reserves (NNRs) within 10km of the Site boundary. Only ecological
(biological) features are considered relevant to the present study. Any Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) were
identified within a 5km distance of the Site boundary and non-statutory designations, such as Local Wildlife Sites
(LWS), Sites of Interest for Nature Conservation (SINCs) or woodland areas included on the Ancient Woodland
Inventory (AWI), were identified within a 2km distance of the Site boundary.
RIGGHILL WIND FARM 3 APPENDIX 7.1
Existing records for protected or otherwise notable species (e.g. LBAP priority species) were identified with a
2km distance of the Site boundary. The survey buffer was extended to 10km for bats. Only records from the last
10 years were considered relevant to the study.
Data sources included the following organisations and online databases:
South West Scotland Environmental Information Centre (SWSEIC, 2019);
Glasgow Museums Resource Centre (Glasgow Museums Resource Centre, 2019)
NBN Atlas (NBN Atlas, 2019);
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) SiteLink (SNH, 2019); and
SNH Ancient Woodland Inventory (SNH, 2018).
Results
Nature Conservation Designations
One statutory designation of international importance and five statutory designations of national importance
are located within 10km of the Site boundary. These are summarised in Table 1 (listed in terms of distance from
the Site) and shown on Figure 1.
Table 1 – Statutory Nature Conservation Designations within 5km of the Proposed Development
Site Designation Distance to Site Description
Skelmorlie Glen SSSI Within Site The site is designated for the following:
Upland mixed ash woodland.
Renfrewshire Heights
SPA Borders Site NE
The Site is designated for the following species referred to in Article 4 of Directive 2009/147/EC and listed in Annex II of Directive 92/43/EEC:
Hen harrier (Circus cyaneus) - during the breeding season the area regularly supports 2% of the population in Great Britain (seven year mean for 1998 to 2004 ).
SSSI The site is designated for the following:
Aggregations of breeding bird hen harrier.
Shielhill Glen SSSI 5km NE The site is designated for the following:
Lowland mixed broadleaved woodland; and Fen meadow.
Cumbraes
Marine Consultation Area (MCA)
5.36km S The channel between the Great and Little Cumbrae Islands, Bute and the mainland is over 50m deep. The tidal regime favours the development of rich algal and faunal communities on the shores. The red seaweeds Chondrus crispus and Mastocarpus stellatus are better developed here than at any other location in Britain. At Kames Bay populations of the thin tellin Angulus tenuis have been monitored for over 60 years and constitute one of the longest series of observations on an intertidal species in the United Kingdom.
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Site Designation Distance to Site Description
Ballochmartin Bay SSSI 7.28km S The site is designated for the following:
Coastland.
There are three non-statutory Local Nature Conservation Sites (LNCS), two proposed LNCS and one RSPB
Important Bird Area (IBA) inside the Site application boundary or within 2km of the Site boundary. A Regional
Park designation also intersects the Site boundary. These designations are detailed in Table 2 (listed in terms of
distance from the site boundary) and shown on Figure 1.
Table 2 – Non -statutory Nature Conservation Designations within 2km of the Proposed Development
Site Designation Distance to Site
Description
Skelmorlie Glen and Fardens Glen
LNCS Within Site A good example of semi-natural woodland with
botanically-rich mixed deciduous gorge woodland.
Renfrewshire Heights RSPB IBA Within Site Breeding population of hen harriers.
Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park
Regional Park
Within Site Scotland’s Largest Regional Park providing places to walk, run, cycle, outdoor activities and a café.
Noddsdale Water (Brisbane Glen) & Kilburn Glen
Provisional LNCS
0.65km East Ancient woodland; Provisional SWT wildlife site
Kelly Glen and Reservoir LNCS 0.9km North A broad and steep valley supporting a rich and diverse semi-natural woodland cover.
Knock Castle and Routenburn
Provisional LNCS
1.23km South Ancient woodland; Provisional SWT wildlife site
Oakfield (Kellybank) LNCS 1.25km North-west
A large and diverse area of semi-natural habitats with woodland extensions from the glen supporting a good range of canopy and ground flora elements.
Additionally, 27 areas of Ancient Woodland Inventory-listed woodland were identified within the 2km desk study
search area. These designations are detailed in Table 3 (again listed in terms of distance from the site boundary)
and shown on Figure 1.
Table 3 – Ancient Woodland within 2km of the Proposed Development
Woodland Ancient Woodland Category Distance to Site Size (ha)
Unnamed Long-Established (of plantation origin) (2b) Within Site 3.26
Skelmorlie Glen Ancient (of semi-natural origin) (2a) Within Site 5.53
Skelmorlie Glen Ancient (of semi-natural origin) (2a) Within Site 0.33
RIGGHILL WIND FARM 5 APPENDIX 7.1
Woodland Ancient Woodland Category Distance to Site Size (ha)
Skelmorlie Glen Ancient (of semi-natural origin) (2a) Within Site 0.88
Skelmorlie Glen Ancient (of semi-natural origin) (2a) Within Site 0.49
Skelmorlie Glen Ancient (of semi-natural origin) (1a) Within Site 42.5
Fardens Glen Long-Established (of plantation origin) (2b) Borders Western Site Boundary
0.84
Skelmorlie Glen Ancient (of semi-natural origin) (1a) 0.38km W 11.06
Unnamed Ancient (of semi-natural origin) (1a) 0.39km W 5.68
Unnamed Long-Established (of plantation origin) (2b) 0.41km SW 1
Unnamed Long-Established (of plantation origin) (2b) 0.51km W 4.59
Unnamed Ancient (of semi-natural origin) (1a) 0.52km S 23.95
Templeston Glen Ancient (of semi-natural origin) (2a) 0.73km S 5.26
Unnamed Long-Established (of plantation origin) (2b) 0.76km S 2.36
Unnamed Long-Established (of plantation origin) (2b) 0.77km S 2.43
Unnamed Long-Established (of plantation origin) (2b) 0.90W 5.07
Kelly Glen Ancient (of semi-natural origin) (2a) 0.94km N 2.32
Unnamed Ancient (of semi-natural origin) (2a) 1.02km N 1.37
Unnamed Ancient (of semi-natural origin) (1a) 1.05km N 17.08
Unnamed Ancient (of semi-natural origin) (1a) 1.09km N 12.74
Unnamed Ancient (of semi-natural origin) (1a) 1.43km NW 1.45
Unnamed Ancient (of semi-natural origin) (1a) 1.57km S 5.75
Unnamed Long-Established (of plantation origin) (2b) 1.62km N 2.25
Unnamed Ancient (of semi-natural origin) (1a) 1.62km S 15.48
Unnamed Long-Established (of plantation origin) (2b) 1.69km N 2.76
Unnamed Ancient (of semi-natural origin) (1a) 1.85km NW 1.9
Unnamed Long-Established (of plantation origin) (2b) 1.88km SW 26.08
RIGGHILL WIND FARM 6 APPENDIX 7.1
Invasive Species
Records of the following invasive species were recorded in the desk study:
Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica); and
Rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum).
Japanese knotweed is classed as a controlled plant in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).
Terrestrial Animals
Data obtained from the SWSEIC and Glasgow Museum (SWSEIC, 2019 and Glasgow Museums Resource Centre
2019) showed records of 15 protected or otherwise notable species within 2km of the Site boundary and bats
within 10km of the Site boundary; see Table 4.
Table 4: Protected or Otherwise Notable Species
Common name Scientific name Legislation Records
Otter Lutra lutra
Conservation (Natural
Habitats, &c.) Regulations
1994 (as amended)
Four records of otter were identified
within 2km of the Site boundary, the
mosts recent being recorded in 2018.
Brown long-eared
bat Plecotus auritus
Conservation (Natural
Habitats, &c.) Regulations
1994 (as amended)
Fifteen records of brown long-eared
bat were identified within 10km of the
Site boundary, the mosts recent being
recorded in 2016.
Lesser Noctule Nyctalus leisleri Conservation (Natural
Habitats, &c.) Regulations
1994 (as amended)
Six records of Lesser Noctule were
identified within 10km of the Site
boundary, the mosts recent being
recorded in 2016.
Natterer's bat Myotis nattereri Conservation (Natural
Habitats, &c.) Regulations
1994 (as amended)
Nine records of Natterer's bat were
identified within 10km of the Site
boundary, the mosts recent being
recorded in 2016.
Mytotis bats Myotis sp. Conservation (Natural
Habitats, &c.) Regulations
1994 (as amended)
Four records of myotis bats have been
recorded within 10km of the Site
boundary, the mosts recent being
recorded in 2016.
Pipistrelle bat
species
Pipistrellus sp. Conservation (Natural
Habitats, &c.) Regulations
1994 (as amended)
There are 16 records of pipistrelle bats
within 10km of the Site boundary, the
mosts recent being recorded in 2016.
Common
pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus
Conservation (Natural
Habitats, &c.) Regulations
1994 (as amended)
There are 65 records of common
pipistrelle within 10km of the Site
boundary, the mosts recent being
recorded in 2019.
Soprano
pipistrelle
Pipistrellus
pygmaeus
Conservation (Natural
Habitats, &c.) Regulations
1994 (as amended)
There are 41 records of soprano
pipistrelle within 10km of the Site
boundary, the mosts recent being
recorded in 2016.
RIGGHILL WIND FARM 7 APPENDIX 7.1
Common name Scientific name Legislation Records
Common seal Phoca vitulina Marine (Scotland) Act 2010
The Protection of Seals
(Designation of Haul-Out
Sites) (Scotland) Order
2014
A sole record from 2018 was identified
within 2km of the Site boundary.
Grey seal Halichoerus
grypus
Marine (Scotland) Act 2010
The Protection of Seals
(Designation of Haul-Out
Sites) (Scotland) Order
2014
A sole record from 2016 was identified
within 2km of the Site boundary.
Brown hare Lepus
europaeus
Wildlife and Countryside
Act 1981 (as amended)
A sole record from 2017 was identified
within 2km of the Site boundary.
Common frog Rana
temporaria
Wildlife and Countryside
Act 1981 (as amended)
Four records of frog were identified
within 2km of the Site boundary, the
mosts recent being recorded in 2019.
Common toad Bufo bufo Wildlife and Countryside
Act 1981 (as amended)
Three records of toad were identified
within 2km of the Site boundary, the
mosts recent being recorded in 2018.
Palmate newt Lissotriton
helveticus
Wildlife and Countryside
Act 1981 (as amended)
A sole record from 2019 was identified
within 2km of the Site boundary.
Large heath Coenonympha
tullia
SBL A sole record from 2019 was identified
within 2km of the Site boundary.
RIGGHILL WIND FARM 8 APPENDIX 7.1
References
Glasgow Museums Resource Centre (2019). Data Request December 2019.
NBN Atlas (2019). Explore Your Area. Available online at: https://nbnatlas.org/ (accessed December 2019)
North Ayrshire Council (2019). North Ayrshire Local Biodiversity Action Plan 2019-2031. Available online at:
https://www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/Documents/CorporateServices/Finance/draft-lbap.pdf (accessed
December 2019)
SNH (2018). A guide to understanding the Scottish Ancient Woodland Inventory (AWI). Available online at:
https://www.nature.scot/sites/default/files/2018-
11/A%20guide%20to%20understanding%20the%20Scottish%20Ancient%20Woodland%20Inventory%20%28A
WI%29.pdf (accessed December 2019)
SNH SiteLink (2019). SiteLink Map Search. Available online at: https://sitelink.nature.scot/map (accessed
December 2019)
SWSEIC (2019). Data Request December 2019.
RIGGHILL WIND FARM 9 APPENDIX 7.1
Figures
Figure 1: Nature Conservation Designations
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Contains OS data © Crown Copyright and database right 2019
Projec
t Num
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DI_17
07
Rigghill Wind FarmEIA Report
Figure TA7.1.1Ecological Designated Sites within 5km
¯KEY
Scale 1:80,000 @ A3
0 2 4km
04/02/2020Date: Drawn by: Checked by: Version:AG MB V1
Renfrewshire Heights SPA SSSI RSPB IBAClyde Muirshiel Regional Park
Noddsdale Water (Brisbane Glen) & Kilburn Glen Provisional LNCS
Knock Castle and RoutenburnProvisional LNCS
Ballochmartin Bay SSSICumbraes MCA
Kelly Glen and Reservoir LNCSOakfield LNCS
Skelmorlie Glen SSSISkelmorlie Glen and Fardens Glen LNCS
Shielhill Glen SSSI
Buffer (2km)Buffer (10km)Special Protection Area (SPA)Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) Marine Consultation Area (MCA)
Local Nature Conservation SiteProvisional Local Nature Conservation Site
Regional Park
RSPB Important Bird Area (IBA)Ancient Woodland
Site Boundary
RIGGHILL WIND FARM 10 APPENDIX 7.1
Appendices
Appendix A: Protected or otherwise notable birds within 2km of the Site boundary
Vernacular Name Scientific name EU Birds Directive: Annex 1
Schedule 1 Wildlife & Countryside Act
1981
SBL Birds of Conservation
Concern (BoCC)
Arctic Skua Stercorarius parasiticus
X Red
Arctic Tern Sterna paradisaea X
X Amber
Barn Owl Tyto alba
X X Green
Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis X
X Amber
Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica X
X Amber
Black-headed gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus
X Amber
Black-throated Diver
Gavia arctica X X X Amber
Brambling Fringilla montifringilla
X X
Brent Goose Branta bernicla
Amber
Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula
X Amber
Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula
X Amber
Common Gull Larus canus
Amber
Common sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucos
Amber
Common Scoter Melanitta nigra
X X Red
Common Tern Sterna hirundo X
X Amber
Corncrake Crex crex X X X Red
Crossbill Loxia curvirostra
X
Cuckoo Cuculus canorus
X Red
Curlew Numenius arquata
X Red
Dipper Cinclus cinclus
Amber
Dunlin (schinzii race)
Calidris alpina schinzii X
Amber
Dunnock Prunella modularis
X Amber
Eider Somateria mollissima
Amber
RIGGHILL WIND FARM 11 APPENDIX 7.1
Vernacular Name Scientific name EU Birds Directive: Annex 1
Schedule 1 Wildlife & Countryside Act
1981
SBL Birds of Conservation
Concern (BoCC)
Fieldfare Turdus pilaris
X
Red
Firecrest Regulus ignicapilla
X
Green
Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis
Amber
Gannet Morus bassanus
Amber
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos X X X Green
Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria X
X Green
Goldeneye Bucephala clangula
Amber
Goshawk Accipiter gentilis
X
Grasshopper warbler
Locustella naevia
X Red
Great black-backed Gull
Larus marinus
Amber
Great Northern Diver
Gavia immer X X X Amber
Great Skua Stercorarius skua
Amber
Greenshank Tringa nebularia
X
Amber
Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea
Red
Greylag Goose Anser anser
Amber
Guillemot Uria aalge
Amber
Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus X X X Red
Herring Gull Larus argentatus
X Red
Hooded Crow Corvus cornix
X
House Martin Delichon urbicum
Amber
House Sparrow Passer domesticus
X Red
Kestrel Falco tinnunculus
X Amber
Kingfisher Alcedo atthis X X X Amber
Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla
Red
Lapwing Vanellus vanellus
X Red
RIGGHILL WIND FARM 12 APPENDIX 7.1
Vernacular Name Scientific name EU Birds Directive: Annex 1
Schedule 1 Wildlife & Countryside Act
1981
SBL Birds of Conservation
Concern (BoCC)
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Larus fuscus
Amber
Lesser Redpoll Acanthis cabaret
X Red
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Dendrocopos minor
Red
Linnet Linaria cannabina
X Red
Little Egret Egretta garzetta X
Green
Little Gull Hydrocoloeus minutus
X
Green
Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius
X
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Amber
Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus
X Amber
Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis
Amber
Mediterranean Gull
Larus melanocephalus X X
Amber
Merlin Falco columbarius X X X Red
Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus
Red
Mute swan Cygnus olor
Amber
Osprey Pandion haliaetus X X X Amber
Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus
Amber
Peregrine Falco peregrinus X X X
Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus
Amber
Pintail Anas acuta
Amber
Pochard Aythya ferina
X Red
Puffin Fratercula arctica
Red
Razorbill Alca torda
Amber
Red Kite Milvus milvus X X X Green
Redshank Tringa totanus
Amber
Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus
Amber
RIGGHILL WIND FARM 13 APPENDIX 7.1
Vernacular Name Scientific name EU Birds Directive: Annex 1
Schedule 1 Wildlife & Countryside Act
1981
SBL Birds of Conservation
Concern (BoCC)
Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata X X X Green
Redwing Turdus iliacus
X X Red
Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus
X Amber
Ring Ouzel Turdus torquatus
X Red
Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula
Red
Ruff Calidris pugnax X X X Red
Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis X
X Amber
Scaup Aythya marila
X X Red
Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis
Red
Shelduck Tadorna tadorna
Amber
Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus X
X Amber
Siskin Spinus spinus
X
Skylark Alauda arvensis
X Red
Snipe Gallinago gallinago
Amber
Snow Bunting Plectrophenax nivalis
X X Amber
Song Thrush Turdus philomelos
X Red
Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata
X Red
Starling Sturnus vulgaris
X Red
Stock Dove Columba oenas
Amber
Storm Petrel Hydrobates pelagicus X
X Amber
Swift Apus apus
X Amber
Tawny Owl Strix aluco
Amber
Teal Anas crecca
Amber
Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis
X Red
Tree sparrow Passer montanus
X Red
Turnstone Arenaria interpres
Amber
Twite Linaria flavirostris
X Red
RIGGHILL WIND FARM 14 APPENDIX 7.1
Vernacular Name Scientific name EU Birds Directive: Annex 1
Schedule 1 Wildlife & Countryside Act
1981
SBL Birds of Conservation
Concern (BoCC)
Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca
X
Red
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
X
Red
Whooper swan Cygnus cygnus X X X Amber
Wigeon Anas penelope
Amber
Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus
Amber
Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix
X Red
Woodcock Scolopax rusticola
X Red
Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella
X Red
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