Press Release

NEW GUIDANCE AVAILABLE FOR OBSERVING BIRD BEHAVIOUR NEAR OFFSHORE WINDFARMS

22 December 2005

Collaborative Offshore Windfarm Research into the Environment (COWRIE) has published new guidance for the use of remote techniques for observing bird behaviour near offshore wind farms. The study was commissioned in response to concerns about the potential impact on birds encountering offshore windfarms.

Developers will find the guidance invaluable as they must provide detailed information on the intensity and distribution of bird movements in their Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The costs and practical constraints associated with undertaking human observations means that remote sensing systems are essential in gathering data on the routes and numbers of birds moving through a proposed windfarm site.

The study was completed by Denmark’s National Environmental Research Institute (NERI) who combined their extensive experience in the application of remote technologies with QinetiQ’s cutting edge technical expertise.

Dr Rowena Langston from the RSPB, a representative of the COWRIE steering group, said: “This report provides a comprehensive assessment of the ability of differentremote systems, notably radarand thermal imagery,to meet key data gathering challenges. In considering cost effective solutions for industry, the report promotes best practice and so has real public value.”

Dr Carolyn Heeps, a Director of COWRIE and Head of Environment and Research at The Crown Estate, considers the report to be: “Another excellent example of COWRIE’s unique contribution to furthering our understanding of the potential environmental impact of offshore windfarms. By drawing together international expertise NERI has been able to undertake pioneering analysis of these advanced technologies which will lead to practical application in the siting and design of offshore windfarm projects.”

The full report can be found alongside the range of studies on the COWRIE website.

The recommendations for further work will now be considered by COWRIE Ltd’s Environmental Group as it develops a new research programme. Details of the tenders will be available on the COWRIE website.