- The site of a proposed new development, (provisionally involving
2,500 units and associated mixed use development), at Durieshill,
near Stirling, on behalf of Nigel Rudd Ecology, in 2008/2009.
The site surveyed is some 357 ha. in extent, and includes many
small or medium arable, pasture and silage fields interspersed
with various deciduous, coniferous and mixed woodlands. In addition,
there are various farms and associated agricultural / rural properties,
and a large country house at West Plean;
- The site of a proposed new development, (provisionally involving
1,000 units and associated mixed use development), at Wallyford,
near Mussleburgh, on behalf of Nigel Rudd Ecology, in 2008/2009.
The site surveyed is some 90 ha. in extent, and includes many
small or medium arable fields interspersed with various scrub
and scrub and planted woodland areas immediately adjacent to the
existing former pit village of Wallyford. A report was prepared
following the completion of the fieldwork; and,
- The site of the proposed Tornagrain
New Settlement development, (involving 5,000 units
and associated mixed use development), at Tornagrain, near Inverness,
on behalf of Applied Ecology, in 2006/2007. The site surveyed
is some 259 ha. in extent, and includes mainly arable fields bounded
by coniferous plantations and interspersed with various miscellaneous
other habitats, including several areas of scrub, a sand quarry,
an irrigation pond and small isolated copses of deciduous woodland
are mainly located within the central parts of the site. Various
residential properties are situated around the margins of the
site, or along or off the road to Croy, which bisects the site.
A comprehensive report was prepared following the completion of
the fieldwork.
In addition to these general wintering bird surveys, BCMESL has
also completed more closely targeting wintering bird surveys of
particular species or groups of species. The including the following:
- A survey of Pink-footed Goose, (and other wintering birds),
near Carnwath, South Lanarkshire, for Cameron Ecology Limited
in 2007/2008 in relation birds associated with the Westwater Reservoir
Special Protection Area, designated for its roosting Pink-footed
Goose population, that may have been feeding in fields allocated
for the proposed Kersewell
Mains leisure resort development;
- A survey of Bean Goose, (and other wintering birds), on Fannyside
Muir / the Slamannan Plateau near Cumbernauld, for the Scotts
Company (UK) Limited in 2005/2006 and 2006/2007 in relation to
assessing the usage of a newly acquired, (and soon to be designated),
peat extraction site by roosting Bean Geese, (see also Fannyside
Muir / Slamannan Plateau Bean Geese Survey, and Ecological and
Environmental Guidance and Advice). The survey approach
consisted of firstly establishing that Bean Geese did indeed roost
on the clients’ landholding, and secondly, recording this
on a regular basis, in terms of the actual numbers of geese using
various sites for roosting purposes on a nightly basis. Dawn or
dusk counts were undertaken, and feeding birds were also located
away from the roost sites during the day in 2005/2006. BCMESL
deployed suitable qualified ornithologists, worked alongside Dr
Peter Reynolds, employed by Environ, who were also commissioned
to undertake similar work in 2005/2006, and liaised closely with
both the client team and with others including SNH and the Bean
Goose Action Group. 20 – 25 field day visits and 30 half
days respectively were involved in the 2 winters. The survey findings
were reported on a fortnightly / regular basis, and a report for
each winter period was also compiled; and,
- WeBS-based wintering bird surveys in and around Castle Stuart
Bay, on the Moray Firth, for Cornerstone Golf Development International
in 2005/2006, (pre-construction), and 2007/2008, (post-construction),
concentrating on wintering waders and wildfowl, (see also Castle
Stuart WeBS-based Wintering and Breeding Bird Surveys, Ornithological
Impact Assessment, and Ornithological and Environmental Management
Guidance and Advice). As part of the EIA for a proposed
golf resort project, BCMESL devised and completed the field work
required to assess the potential impacts on both wintering birds
adjacent to the site, and breeding birds within it. This involved
close liaison with the statutory bodies, and in particular, with
SNH. The wintering bird survey was based on standard WeBS methodology,
and concentrated on gaining an understanding of the feeding and
roosting behaviours of various wildfowl and wader species utilising
the adjacent coastline, bay and inshore waters through the winter
and tide cycle. This is designated as the Longman and Castle Bays
SSSI, which is designated for salt-marsh and inter-tidal habitats
as well as its wintering population of waterfowl, and in turn
the SSSI comprises part of the Inner Moray Firth SPA, and Ramsar
site, which are similarly classified for their population of over-wintering
wildfowl and waders. In addition, the application site is adjacent
to the Moray Firth SAC. The company also completed a programme
of repeat, (i.e., post-construction), bird surveys in winter 2007/08
so that populations could be compared to baseline data.
|
|
