The potential for impact on avifauna was greatly reduced from the outset by conducting a site selection process taking into account potential impacts and avoiding areas known to be sensitive.
A total of 63 bird species were identified in the Study Area by boat surveys between May 2006 and December 2007, among which several species or species groups are considered of relatively higher sensitivity due to their conservation significance, distribution and / or abundance within the Study Area (Sub-section 7.6). These species include White-bellied Sea Eagle, the breeding terns, Red-necked Phalarope, Black-tailed Gull and Cattle Egret, Aleutian Tern and White-winged Black Tern.
The impact assessment suggests that potential impacts on all birds resulting from construction and operation of the proposed wind farm will not be significant. The widely-used model developed by Scottish Natural Heritage has been used and predicts negligible collision risk for all the most sensitive species in the Study Area based on their distribution and abundance. The significance of construction and operation impacts on avifauna is anticipated to be very low. Overall, the proposed wind farm is considered to have no adverse impacts on avifauna.