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Scottish Marine and Freshwater Science Reports

Formal report series, containing results of research and monitoring carried out by Marine Scotland Science

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Strategic Surveys of Seabirds off the West Coast of Lewis to Determine Use of Seaspace in Areas of Potential Marine Renewable Energy Developments

Scottish Marine and Freshwater Science Vol 5 No 9

By 2020 the percentage of Scotland's energy coming from renewable sources will increase. Studies have identified that there is a need to research how offshore renewable developments affect wildlife populations. The surveys presented here will help to find out how one area of marine development, the west coast of Lewis, is used by waterbirds and marine mammals. Areas close to the Isle of Lewis have already been identified as being important for these groups of animals, through the Special Protection Areas (SPA) network.

doi: 
10.7489/1499-1
Citation: 
Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT). 2014. Strategic Surveys of Seabirds off the West Coast of Lewis to Determine Use of Seaspace in Areas of Potential Marine Renewable Energy Developments. Scottish Marine and Freshwater Science Vol 5 No 9. Edinburgh: Scottish Government, 162pp.
FieldValue
Publisher
Modified
2020-01-07
Release Date
2014-10-17
Identifier
904539a7-2d6f-4ea7-9fe9-462d93ba8482
Spatial / Geographical Coverage Location
Scotland
Temporal Coverage
2012-03-31 to 2013-02-28
License
UK Open Government Licence (OGL)
Data Dictionary

Methods used during these surveys included a desk-based study, a digital aerial survey and ground-based counts. The digital aerial survey involved an aircraft flying systematic 2km spaced transects through the survey area recording high definition video along four 200m strips thus achieving 10% sampling coverage of the area. The images recorded were processed, and bird and mammal species were identified by analysts post survey and strip transect analysis undertaken to derive abundance estimates for the study area. Density surface modelling was undertaken for fulmars, gannets and auk species. 1.3 Ground-based counts involved an ornithologist undertaking a bird and marine mammal survey from 14 vantage points along the west coast of Lewis. These counts were co-ordinated as much as possible with the aerial survey, and were used to gain more information about more difficult to identify species, or undertaken in places known to be important for seabirds but likely to be missed by the aerial survey. A further vantage point study covering the majority of Loch Roag was also undertaken, covering areas outside the aerial survey study area.

Contact Name
Marine Scotland Science Enquiries
Contact Email
Public Access Level
Public