TECHNICAL APPENDIX A7.2 BEINNEUN WINDFARM BADGER, BAT, OTTER AND RED SQUIRREL SURVEY METHODS AND RESULTS

Transcription

1 TECHNICAL APPENDIX A7.2 BEINNEUN WINDFARM BADGER, BAT, OTTER AND RED SQUIRREL SURVEY METHODS AND RESULTS

2

3 Beinneun Windfarm Appendix A7.2 Environmental Statement Technical Appendix Protected Species Survey Methods and Results: 1 PROTECTED SPECIES SURVEY METHODS AND RESULTS: BATS, BADGER, OTTER, RED SQUIRREL AND WILD CAT 1.1 INTRODUCTION This Technical Appendix of the Environmental Statement (ES) presents baseline information from protected species surveys (including bats, badger, otter red squirrel and wild cat) undertaken in relation to the proposed Development. Water vole and fish surveys have been completed and results are presented separately in Technical Appendices A7.3 and A7.4 respectively. Protected species surveys (excluding water vole and fish) were undertaken on the following dates: Table 7.2.1: Remote Monitoring Survey Periods Survey Dates (2010) Bat roost assessment Bat remote monitoring Badger Otter Red squirrel August, September August, 29 August-2 September August, September September August, September 1.2 SURVEY AREA Protected species surveys were undertaken within the study area, as illustrated within Figure 7.1 in the ES, this area took into account the development footprint and also adjacent habitats. The desk study covered an area of approximately 15 kilometres from the Development site. 1.3 METHODS Bats Roost Potential Survey The identification of potential roosts close to the Development site is important, even where it is anticipated that they will not be directly affected. Determining the presence of potential roosts helps to understand the observed movements of bats across the site, for example to and from roost sites. A large number of variables are positively and negatively associated with the presence of roosting bats and these were assessed according to the Bat Mitigation Guidelines 1 and the Bat Conservation Trust guidelines 2. Potential roost sites within the survey area were assessed for suitability to support bat roosts and given a rating of: negligible, low, medium or high. Any evidence of the potential presence of roosting bats was recorded such as clean crevices, polished wood or droppings. This survey was undertaken in August and September Remote Monitoring Remote recording was undertaken using AnaBat SD1 CF bat detectors. AnaBats were deployed for two separate survey periods (Table 7.2.2) and positioned at various locations across a range of habitat types (Table and Figure 7.2.1). Anabats 1 Mitchell-Jones, A.J. (2004) Bat Mitigation Guidelines. Peterborough: English Nature 2 Bat Conservation Trust (2007) Bat Surveys Good Practice Guidelines. London: Bat Conservation Trust November 2011 Page 1

4 Appendix A7.2 Protected Species Survey Methods and Results: Beinneun Windfarm Environmental Statement Technical Appendix recorded from approximately half an hour before sunset until approximately half an hour after sunrise. Recordings were analysed with AnalookW Software. Remote monitoring results are discussed with reference to survey nights i.e. the total number of passes per night. In practice, each night of remote monitoring will include two separate dates as surveys are carried out throughout the night from dusk on one day to dawn on the next. To assist with the analysis and discussion each survey night is identified by the date on which the remote monitoring survey began. Each AnaBat location and recording session is hereafter identified by a two-digit reference; for example, 1.2 refers to session 1, location 2. Table 7.2.2: Remote Monitoring Survey Periods Dates Number of Nights Number of Units 23/08/ /08/ /09/ /10/ Table 7.2.3: AnaBat Locations and Associated Habitats AnaBat ID Grid Reference Altitude (m)* Habitat ** 1.1 NH Wet heath 1.2 NH Wet heath 1.3 NH Adjacent to the Allt Garbh-Dhoire 1.4 NH Wet heath and blanket mire mosaic 1.5 NH Adjacent to the Allt Garbh-Dhoire 1.6 NH NH NH Adjacent to a loch 2.3 NH Montane heath 2.4 NH NH Montane heath * Above Ordnance Datum ** Phase 1 Habitats within an approximate 30 m radius of each AnaBat Lower reaches of the survey area adjacent to the Allt Garbh-Dhoire The summit of Mullach Ardachaidh in a mosaic of wet heath and blanket mire Summit of Carn Tarsuinn in montane heath Badger Suitable habitats within the survey area were surveyed for signs of badger and followed appropriate survey methodology guidance 3. Dense coniferous plantation could not be comprehensively surveyed, although accessible areas such as forest rides were surveyed. Field evidence searched for and recorded during the survey includes: Setts (groups of burrows); Latrines (dung pits used as territorial markers); Prints; and 3 Harris, S., Cresswell, P. & Jeffries, D. (1991) Surveying for Badgers. Mammal Society Page 2 November 2011

5 Beinneun Windfarm Appendix A7.2 Environmental Statement Technical Appendix Protected Species Survey Methods and Results: Hairs Otter Accessible waterbodies within the survey area were examined for field signs of otter. The most reliable field sign of otter presence is spraint, which is often left in prominent places as a territorial marker. Spraint has a distinctive smell when fresh, and usually contains fish bones or at least scales. The presence of spraint can help in the interpretation of use of other structures such as holts and shelters. The survey aimed to record signs of otter activity including sprainting sites, footprints, runs, slides, holts and lying up sites; where such signs were found the position was recorded with a handheld GPS Red Squirrel Areas of suitable habitat within the survey area, including mature stands of trees, were searched for evidence of red squirrel including observations of the animals themselves, the presence of dreys and signs of foraging/feeding. A watching brief was also maintained during the course of all other ecological surveys for any evidence of red squirrel Wild Cat A walkover survey was undertaken to search for evidence of wild cat at the site and to identify potential denning sites. Denning sites can include features such as hollow trees, rock crevices, rabbit burrows and disused badger setts. Evidence for wild cat was searched for including scats, claw marks and paw prints Other Species A watching brief was maintained for any notable species such as pine marten, reptiles and amphibians, or signs of species, during the course of all other ecological surveys. Surveyors were familiar with the identification of such species likely to occur in this part of Scotland. Any records were noted and the location recorded with a handheld GPS. 1.4 RESULTS Bats Roost Potential Survey No buildings are located within the survey area. The majority of trees within the survey area are conifers which are well sealed and highly unlikely to offer any opportunities for roosting bats. Broadleaf trees within the survey area are generally immature and/or well sealed specimens with no moderate or high potential trees noted during the survey Remote Monitoring In total, three species were recorded within the survey area by the remote AnaBat detectors (Table 7.2.4), including common pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus, soprano pipistrelle P. pygmaeus and Brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus. A small number of calls from Pipistrellus genus (that could not be identified to species level) were also recorded. Very low levels of bat activity were recorded during the remote monitoring sessions, with only three of the eleven AnaBats deployed recording any bat activity (Table 7.2.4). The majority of bat activity (twenty five of a total twenty seven bat passes) were recorded by a single AnaBat (location ID 1.6) which was located within the lowest reaches of the survey area to act as a control. The results strongly support the assumption that habitats within the majority of the survey area (particularly within the turbine envelope) are highly sub-optimal for use by bats, being at high altitude (average altitude 535 m) and very exposed. November 2011 Page 3

6 Appendix A7.2 Protected Species Survey Methods and Results: Beinneun Windfarm Environmental Statement Technical Appendix Table 7.2.4: Total Number of AnaBat Files by Species and Location Location ID Brown long-eared Pipistrelle Soprano pipistrelle Common pipistrelle Total Total Badger No evidence of badger was recorded within the survey area. The majority of habitats are considered to be sub-optimal for use by badger being open and exposed with very little cover and also consisting of waterlogged peat. Areas of plantation woodland at the lower reaches of the survey area may provide more suitable habitat for this species, however no evidence indicating use of this area by badger was recorded during the survey Otter Otter spraint and a probable otter holt was recorded within the survey area as illustrated in Figure Owing to a lack of fish within the watercourses, use of the site by otter is likely to be limited to spring foraging of amphibians within lochs and occasional commuting Red Squirrel Spot checks for evidence of squirrel within areas of suitable habitat and a watching brief for the species did not record any signs indicating the presence of squirrel within the survey area. Plantation woodland habitats are suitable for red squirrel, particularly where trees are mature, and there remains a risk that the species may be present within the survey area at low densities. Page 4 November 2011

7 Beinneun Windfarm Appendix A7.2 Environmental Statement Technical Appendix Protected Species Survey Methods and Results: Wild Cat No evidence of use of the survey area by wild cat was recorded. Habitats are suitable for the species, particularly areas of woodland and there remains a risk that the species may be present within the survey area at low densities Other Species Other notable species recorded during the course of the ecological surveys include; common lizard, common frog, smooth newt, red deer, golden ring dragonfly fox moth, northern eggar moth and mountain hare. Probable pine marten scats were recorded along the main existing access track in February No other evidence of pine marten was noted during the course of the ecological surveys. November 2011 Page 5

8 Appendix A7.2 Protected Species Survey Methods and Results: Beinneun Windfarm Environmental Statement Technical Appendix This page is intentionally blank Page 6 November 2011

9 Key Site Boundary Proposed Turbine Location Meteorological Mast 4X4 Access Track Potential Track 1.6 New Access Track Track to be Upgraded Construction Compound Turbine Foundation AnaBat Location Substation Potential Borrow Pit :20, A Produced: SC Reviewed: PM Approved: IS Ref: 467/ES/037 Date: 07/09/ km Revision: A AnaBat Locations Figure Reproduced from Ordnance Survey digital map data Crown copyright All rights reserved. License number Crane Pad Beinneun Windfarm Environmental Statement

10 Key Site Boundary Proposed Turbine Location Meteorological Mast 4X4 Access Track Potential Track New Access Track Track to be Upgraded Construction Compound Crane Pad Turbine Foundation Potential Holt Spraint Substation Potential Borrow Pit :20, A Produced: SC Reviewed: PM Approved: IS Ref: 467/ES/038 Date: 07/09/ km Revision: A Otter Survey Results Figure Reproduced from Ordnance Survey digital map data Crown copyright All rights reserved. License number Beinneun Windfarm Environmental Statement