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TEP

TEP

Genesis Centre

Birchwood Science Park

Warrington

WA3 7BH TEPTEP

Development

and Birds

Contents

Introduction 1-2

EIA and birds 3-4

Appropriate assessments 5-6

Powerline collision studies 7-8

Windfarm assessments 9-10

Upland bird surveys 11-12

River bird surveys 13-14

Coastal surveys 15-16

Greenfield development and birds 17-18

Brownfield development and birds 19-20

Building renovation and conservation 21-22

Creating habitats for birds 23

Designed by Featherfire Design.

Images - Peter Gateley, Tim Ross, Mike Walker, Rachel Hayward, Richard Catling, Paul M. Hill and Bill Aspin.

Copyright of TEP except where indicated on image.

Front cover - Frodsham sub-station, Cheshire.

IntroductionPage 2Page 1

This booklet describes how birds might be affected by development. It includes

case studies from TEP's experience in different locations. We hope it will help

developers, planners and designers understand ornithological constraints and

plan positively for development and birds.

Britain is home to hundreds of bird species, and also provides a winter refuge for

many which breed in the arctic circle.

Many of Britain's birds are under threat; from climate change, agricultural activity

and sometimes from development. UK environmental policy now has a clear focus

on protecting and increasing bird populations.

Many types of development, from upland wind farms to city-centre regeneration,

can affect birds. Planning authorities often require developers to assess impacts on

birds and to implement mitigation measures.

Different development situations require different ornithological assessment

techniques. This booklet introduces these techniques and provides case studies for

urban, greenfield, wetland, coastal and upland development scenarios.

The once common house sparrow is now listed on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan as a conservation priority.

TEP’s ornithology team is part of a larger group of environmental

professionals specialising in ecology, EIA, landscape design and

management. This ensures that our advice forms part of an integrated

approach to biodiversity and development.

The corn bunting, a UK Biodiversity Action Plan species that continues to decline largely due to changes

in agricultural practices.

TEP's provides the expertise needed to help developers meet their

objectives while protecting birds.

Our surveyors are skilled in a variety of ornithological survey techniques

appropriate to different development environments. We use rigorous and

scientific data analysis, which can withstand robust scrutiny from regulators

and objectors. We provide practical guidance to developers about how

birds can be protected and managed during development. We prepare

designs and management statements needed to discharge planning

conditions.

TEP discuss the scope of ornithology surveys with the local planning authority and

statutory consultees. Field and desktop surveys identify whether any birds of

conservation concern are present on the site. We assess the significance of the

population and the potential impacts arising from the development. If there is a

significant impact on a locally or regionally important population of birds there is

usually a requirement for mitigation. These measures might include timings of site

works and provision of alternative habitat on or near the site.

The EIA process is iterative, so TEP works with developers and planners during the

design process to minimise impacts. TEP prepares information for the

Environmental Statement ensuring that it complies with the relevant regulations,

allowing an accurate and defensible assessment of impact. For controversial

developments, the EIA is often subject to close scrutiny at public inquiry and TEP's

ecologists are familiar with providing Expert Witness services.

Page 3

TEP was commissioned by Astral Developments

to advise on the ecological implications of

proposals for a rail-served warehousing and

inter-modal facility at the former Parkside

Colliery, Newton-Le-Willows.

An initial appraisal and preliminary research

identified the need for a breeding bird survey

of the site since a range of interesting bird

habitats were present on the site, notably

extensive areas of farmland. A number of

important species associated with these

habitats were recorded including grey

partridge, tree sparrow, skylark and barn owl;

all meriting consideration in the EIA.

TEP advised on detailed management

objectives to benefit birds, including provision

of a large area of open grassland and an

extensive tree planting scheme and a network

of waterbodies.

The significance of the bird population was

considered in the EIA, with the Environmental

Statement containing a detailed assessment

of the proposals in terms of birds practised in

the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.

Parkside Strategic Rail Freight Interchange, Merseyside

Case Study

Page 4

EIA and

birds

© Sue Tranter

Tree sparrow

The UK Government has a statutory requirement to maintain or achieve “Favourable Conservation

Status” for birds in European sites of importance (Special Protection Areas). Many British SPAs

are along the coast or in upland or wetland situations. Before detailed scheme development it is

necessary to meet the local planning authority and the statutory nature conservation body e.g.

Natural England/CCW and agree the scope of assessment. Field surveys may be needed.

The first stage of an Appropriate Assessment is to identify if the development can be managed or

designed so as to avoid impact. If impact is unavoidable then there may be scope for mitigation

through design and timing of development. In certain situations development may be allowed

even where it has an adverse effect on integrity of the SPA. In all situations a rigorous and

formulaic process of reporting is required in order to comply with European legislation.

Any mitigation or compensation proposals must be carefully thought through to guarantee that

they will be effective and implementable. This often requires protracted negotiation between

developers, planners, nature conservation bodies and land owners. Skilled negotiation can

identify pro-active solutions which meet the needs of all parties and enable development while

safeguarding birds of European importance.

Page 5

TEP was commissioned to assess the

ornithological impact of the permanent

installation, by Anthony Gormley, of 100

human-size sculptures at Crosby Foreshore.

The Crosby Foreshore is a part of the Ribble and

Alt Estuaries Special Protection Area so a report

was prepared by TEP to provide the basis for

Sefton Council to carry out an Appropriate

Assessment.

The focus of the report was the potential for

visitors to disturb feeding waders, particularly

bar-tailed godwit and sanderling which occur

in internationally important numbers within the

SPA. A key recommendation from the report

was to avoid installing statues within two

principal feeding areas on the lower shore.

Other proposed mitigation included a long

term monitoring programme and promoting

increased public awareness concerning the

protection of the birds which use the Crosby

shore.

TEPs report required detailed analysis of bird

records from 1985 onwards. Following a

period of intense negotiation with Natural

England, Sefton Council granted permission for

the sculptures subject to the conditions

proposed by TEP

Another Place, Crosby Shore

Case Study

Page 6

Appropriate

assessments

Another Place, Crosby Shore

Some larger birds, especially waterfowl, are vulnerable to collisions with

overhead powerlines. This is a particular problem where powerlines cross

migration or feeding routes or roosting areas used by waterfowl.

When planning new overhead lines it is important to build up a thorough picture of

bird movements. This often requires a series of vantage points surveys at different

times of the day, including dawn and dusk. Once a full picture of bird movement

patterns is established, it may be possible to align the overhead route to minimise

collision vulnerability.

Powerline

collision

studies

Page 7

TEP was commissioned by National Grid to

assess the ecological implications of

construction of an overhead line along the

Wyre Estuary SSSI, a part of the Morecambe

Bay Special Protection Area (SPA).

Consultations with Natural England and the

RSPB confirmed that pink-footed geese would

be the primary target species. The pink-footed

goose is a species of key importance in the

Morecambe Bay SPA between September and

early April. A preliminary study identified

periods of peak flight activity across the

proposed overhead line route.

Following this, a vantage point survey was

undertaken during the winter to provide the

necessary information for a collision impact

study. Using information and records obtained

from the Fylde Bird Club it was possible to

evaluate the impact that the proposed

overhead line would have on the pink-footed

goose population.

Stanah 400kV substation

Fleetwood

Case Study

Page 8

Wyre Estuary, Fylde

Desktop studies are needed at an early stage in windfarm planning. These identify

broad locations of constraint to windfarm developers, allowing them to focus

their more detailed site selection process on areas of lower constraint. In many

cases detailed surveys are required through the year to build a full picture of bird

activity.

Most ornithological impacts can be minimised by siting turbines outside the areas

of peak constraint and also by sensitive construction processes, to ensure that

access routes avoid nesting times and places. Vantage point surveys may be

required to determine flightline information which can be analysed using a

collision risk model which can predict the effect of turbine collision on bird

populations.

Page 9

TEP assisted the Manx Electricity Authority in

identifying potential windfarm sites which met

key requirements of good exposure to wind;

accessibility by road for transportation of

equipment; and locations that could link into the

existing electricity system.

Sites that met the basic requirements were

appraised in relation to strategic development

constraints. These constraints included:

designated sites of nature conservation value;

areas of high landscape value; aircraft flight

zones; areas of land subject to contamination

or subsidence; land allocated for development

and proximity to housing.

Ecology desktop survey results indicated that

one of the preferred sites was used by hen

harriers, a protected bird of prey. Surveys were

undertaken throughout the breeding season

and the presence of nesting hen harriers was

confirmed. This information was incorporated

into the more detailed feasibility assessment

for the preferred sites.

Isle of Man Windfarm

Case Study

Page 10

Windfarm

assessments

© Sean Grey

Rhyl Flats

Britain's uplands provide breeding habitat for a number of important bird species

including hen harriers, peregrine falcons, greenshanks and dotterels, all of which

are legally protected. Many of the upland are protected in the UK Biodiversity

Action Plan. The uplands are also important “stop-off ” locations for migrating

birds during the autumn and the spring.

Large scale development proposals, such as windfarms and powerlines, can affect

extensive areas of upland habitat so it is important that rigorous upland bird

surveys are undertaken to gain insight into the importance of any upland area for

birds. Upland areas are sometimes subject to national or international

designations because of their importance for birds, however, due to a lack in

detailed survey information, further survey is often required to inform impact

assessments.

Page 11

TEP was commissioned by First Investments

Limited to assess the effects of a proposed

helicopter hangar and landing pad on hen

harriers and short-eared owls. The site is near the

Stoney Mountain Plantation, an area known to

be important for hen harriers and short-eared

owls.

The field survey methodology was formulated

by TEP in consultation with The Isle of Man

Government and the Manx Bird Atlas. A vantage

point survey was undertaken covering the

breeding and winter seasons in order to

confirm that each species was present and

determine the precise locations of the nests

and winter roosts. The final breeding bird

survey visit was attended by officers who

ringed the hen harrier young.

Using GIS, a habitat assessment was also

undertaken for the wider locality using aerial

photography. All habitats were evaluated for

hen harrier foraging and nesting value at the

landscape level in order to predict flightlines

between nest sites and foraging areas.

St Marks, Isle of Man

Hen harrier and Short-eared Owl Studies

Case Study

Page 12

Upland bird

surveys

© Peter Hadfield

Hen harrier

TEP was commissioned by National Grid to carry out

a Breeding Bird Survey and River Habitat Survey of

the River Wandle adjacent to the proposed site for a

new 275kW substation in Wimbledon. The bird

survey consisted of two visits to the area, following

the convention of the British Trust for Ornithology's

Breeding Bird Survey (BBS). The River Habitat Survey

mapped a 500m section of the river, following

Environment Agency guidelines.

During the course of the surveys, a pair of kingfishers

was observed on the river 100m south of the

development site. The behaviour of the pair

suggested that they were breeding in the vicinity.

Kingfishers are colourful blue and orange birds that

inhabit slow moving and still water. They are

par t icu lar ly vu lnerable to unsympathet ic

management of watercourses. Kingfishers are

protected under UK law.

TEP advised National Grid on habitat enhancement

measures to incorporate into the necessary bank

establishment works.

Wimbledon Substation.

Breeding Bird and River Habitat Surveys of the River Wandle

Case Study

Kingfishers, grey wagtails and dippers are some of the important bird species

that are closely associated with rivers and streams. Development often occurs

close to rivers, particularly during urban re-development. Prior survey for nest

sites should be co-ordinated with River Corridor Surveys in order to identify

habitats and features of value to birds. When planning development in and near

water it is helpful to incorporate bird-friendly features such as aquatic planting,

nest holes and perching posts.

River bird

surveys

Page 13

Kingfisher

Page 14

Large parts of Britain's coastline are of international importance for birds and this is

reflected in the area of coastline protected by designations including Special

Protection Areas (SPAs) and Ramsar sites. Sections of coastline are usually

protected in this way because they support a particularly large assemblage of

birds during the winter and/or because they support an internationally important

population of a particular bird species at a particular time of year (Applies to bird

species included on Annex I or regularly occurring migratory birds not included in

Annex I of the Wild Birds Directive 79/409/EEC). This can be during the winter or the

spring and autumn migratory periods and in some cases the breeding season can

also be important such as when large tern or gull colonies are present. Coastal

birds can be vulnerable to disturbance when feeding on the shore and particularly

when roosting higher up the shore at high tide.

Page 15

TEP were commissioned by Redford Limited to

determine the implications of residential

development in Derbyhaven village. The

proposed site was an area of grassland and

gorse scrub on the edge of Castletown Links golf

course.

The site is adjacent to the Langness,

Derbyhaven and Sandwick Area of Special

Scientific Interest (ASSI) which is designated for

birds. The ASSI is particularly important for its

waders and wildfowl and also the choughs

which regularly forage in seaweed on the

Sandwick shore.

A range of potential ecological impacts were

considered including disturbance to shore

feeding birds, habitat loss and changes in water

quality in the Derbyhaven Bay. TEP also

presented evidence at a public inquiry.

Derbyhaven, Isle of Man

Case Study

Page 16

Coastal bird

surveys

Choughs, The Lizard

The ornithological value of greenfield sites can vary greatly with some sites, such as

intensively managed lowland pasture, being of very little value for birds and other

sites, such as mixed farmland, being of high importance. Greenfield land such as

farmland comprises a large proportion of the British countryside and many bird

species associated with this habitat have declined steeply in recent years due to

unfavourable management practices. Breeding bird surveys and winter bird

surveys are needed to assess the level of interest and identify mitigation

proposals.

Page 17

TEP advised on the ecological implications of

proposals for commercial development on this

large site in Warrington owned by English

Partnerships.

A breeding bird survey identified a range of

interesting bird habitats on the site. A winter

bird survey was subsequently undertaken and

important farmland bird species such as

skylark, fieldfare, linnet and lapwing were

recorded. Several of these are prioritised in the

UK Biodiversity Action Plan.

A Phase 1 Habitat survey, a series of amphibian

surveys and a water vole survey were also

carried out.

TEP provided advice to benefit birds, including

improved management of adjacent farmland as

well as recommendations for a tree-planting

scheme and the retention of areas of key

habitat such as open grassland, hedgerows and

wetlands.

Omega Strategic Site, Warrington

Case Study

Page 18

Greenfield

development

and birds

© Sue Tranter

Lapwing

Government planning policy favours the development of brownfield land. Many

bird species are associated with brownfield land, including starlings, house

sparrows, skylarks and black redstarts. These species are of conservation

importance due to recent national declines. Some species, such as the black

redstart, are specifically protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the

highest level of protection afforded to birds in the UK.

Ornithologists can quickly identify spatial and temporal constraints to

development within brownfield sites and provide advice concerning

development layout and mitigation proposals. Ecology supervision may also be

needed during the construction period to allow development to proceed near

sensitive areas or during key periods such as the bird nesting season.

Page 19

Black Redstarts are rare and highly protected

birds within the UK. This bird has adapted to

derelict buildings with sparse vegetation and

piles of rubble that mimic its optimum habitat

of cliffs and scree slopes in the Alps. There are

now small populations of black redstart in a few

English cities, including Manchester.

TEP was commissioned to carry out a number of

black redstart surveys in Greater Manchester in

2007 by clients such as Artisan Construction

Group, UAD Group, and Manchester Schools

Framework. Constant consultation with Greater

Manchester Ecology Unit (GMEU) resulted in

t h e s e s u r v e y s u s i n g t h e o p t i m u m

methodologies, both in terms of likelihood of

bird detection and cost effectiveness. Typically

two point count surveys were undertaken

during the most active periods of the breeding

season, with the number of surveys increased

or reduced according to habitat suitability.

A number of recommendations were made to

enhance habitat for this species, such as

installing brown roofs on new developments.

This is a simple, environmentally friendly way of

recycling building materials on site and creating

a non-intrusive habitat for a range of species

including black redstart.

Black Redstarts

Case Study

Page 20

Brownfield

development

and birds

© Graham Catley

Black Redstart

Building renovation, refurbishment and conservation works are a common

development activity, particularly in areas of urban regeneration. Large houses,

farm buildings and historic buildings can provide important nesting and shelter

habitat for a number of important bird species of conservation concern. Among

these are barn owls, house sparrows, starlings and swallows. In addition to these

there are a large number of other birds which are not of conservation concern but

are legally protected at the nest, such as finches and robins. TEP ornithologists

regularly undertake internal building inspections to identify evidence of bird

nesting activity. TEP can also assist developers in excluding birds from buildings

outside the nesting season, allowing development activities to proceed.

Page 21

TEP was commissioned by English Partnerships to

undertake barn owl and bat surveys at derelict

farm buildings at two sites in Telford. Hadley Park

and Nedge were subsequently visited by TEP's

barn owl and bat specialist who recorded

evidence of barn owl occupation on both sites.

This evidence included barn owl droppings and

pellets and barn owl sightings.

Barn owl surveys are often requested by local

authorit ies for barn conversions and

restoration projects to comply with the legal

protection from which this species benefits.

The early identification of these barn owl sites

allowed English Partnerships to incorporate an

effective barn owl mitigation scheme into the

development proposals for Hadley Park and

Nedge.

Hadley Park & Nedge in Telford -

Barn Owl Surveys

Case Study

Page 22

Building

renovation

and

conservation

Derelict buildings, Hadley Park, Telford

TEP has provided ornithology services to the following clients:

Scottish Power

National Grid

United Utilities

Nilo Energy

Peel Holdings

Manchester Airport Developments

English Partnerships

Waterman CPM

Balfour Beatty

Astral Developments

Arcadis Geraghty and Miller International

Land Restoration Trust

Redford Limited

Lambert Smith Hampton

Sefton Council

Liverpool Biennial

Warwick University

Morris Homes North

Persimmon Homes Lancashire

Gladedale Northwest

CB Richard Ellis

First Investments

Artisan Construction

Howells Group plc

There are many ways that habitats can be created or managed to improve conditions

for birds; on both large and small developments.

The creative choice of native and berry-bearing plants in a development's landscape

scheme, coupled with provision of nest boxes on trees and buildings, can encourage

birdlife close to property.

On bigger developments, sometimes it is necessary to create dedicated wildlife

areas. TEP's landscape architects are highly experienced in creation of new

woodlands, wetlands and grasslands.

At the former Avenue Coking Works in Chesterfield, TEP was appointed by East

Midlands Development Agency to design a complex of washlands and meadows in a

river valley and on former railsidings. A stream was partly impounded and pasture

flooded to encourage reeds and marshy grassland for warblers and waders. Shingle

beds were created to encourage the litt le ringed plover. The scheme won a Brit ish

Trust for Ornithology Award and has now been handed over to Derbyshire Wildlife

Trust.

Page 23

Creating

habitats for

birds

The TEP ornithologists working at the Bidston Docks on the Wirral

Wetland creation area at The Avenue, Derbyshire (before and one year later)