Teviotdale's new 'residents' may need special treatment!

by LESTER CROSS

The arrival of two majestic incomers to the Teviot valley in the Scottish Borders has prompted reconsideration of the possible impact a 53-turbine windfarm could have on these leading predators of the countryside.

A pair of golden eagles apparently settled in the area where the Teviot windfarm would be constructed in May 2023, introducing the potential for collision risk with turbines and turbine blades.

Now, in a revised submission to the Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit, wildlife watchdog NatureScot says: "Whilst they do not appear to have to date, if this establishing pair build a nest, and this is close to the proposed development, further consideration of potential impacts would be required."

At the same time, an ornithological report prepared for developers Muirhall Energy concludes there would not be significant loss of golden eagle habitat if the vast project goes ahead.

The various applications seeking permission to deliver the facility across a large swathe of the valley have been under consideration since 2022. The original scheme envisaged 62 turbines before scaled down proposals were substituted earlier this year. Planning authority Scottish Borders Council is expected to take a decision on the application later this year.

Anne Brown, National Operations Officer (South) for NatureScot, writes in the recently published submission: "The AEI [Additional Environmental Information] Report includes an assessment of the impact of the proposed development on resident and dispersing golden eagle. 

"We agree with the report that collision risk is the lesser concern for golden eagles at this location, with displacement the main impact of the proposal. Using the satellite tag data, the report estimates a 3.2% loss of range habitat, which is not of concern in this context. We support the proposal for monitoring of golden eagle and habitat management for them, in consultation and partnership with the South of Scotland Golden Eagles Project (SSGEP)."

The original bird data report lodged by the developers before the arrival of the golden eagles stated: “Surveys have included flight activity surveys, breeding bird surveys (including specific surveys for black grouse, raptors, nightjar and waders), prey transects to assess habitat quality for raptors and winter walkovers. 

"These surveys have found that the site is of overall low ornithological sensitivity in relation to its potential for wind energy development. A number of species of conservation interest are known to pass through the study area, including barnacle geese and hen harrier. Breeding birds of interest include curlew, merlin, peregrine and goshawk.”

The SSGEP has been releasing tagged birds throughout the South of Scotland in recent years. Analysis  had indicated that sufficient habitat exists in the South of Scotland for 14 – 16 pairs of golden eagle, and of relevance to the Teviot windfarms project was the identification of suitable habitat in the nearby hills, mostly to the south-west towards Langholm.

According to the updated ornithological report commissioned by Muirhall: "The Golden Eagles project aims to reinforce the small breeding population of golden eagles in South Scotland through translocation of birds from other parts of Scotland. To date 26 birds have been released with satellite-tags. Satellite tag data was purchased from the project enabling an analysis of potential effects on golden eagles."

A pair of satellite-tagged golden eagles had established a territory which partially overlaps the area where turbines are proposed. 

A widely used approach for evaluating the impact of turbines in a golden eagle's territory showed 6.1% of the birds' range would be lost, marginally over the 5% threshold typically adopted to determine significance in such analyses. 

"However, in this case, due to the availability of satellite tag data from both the male and female birds in the range to define habitat use and loss, a loss of 3.2% is predicted; this is within the 5% threshold and thus on balance the impact is not likely to be significant. 

"Monitoring and habitat management are recommended. Consideration has also been given to the potential for effects on dispersing (non-territorial) birds. Analysis of the satellite tag data set provides strong evidence that there would not be significant loss of good golden eagle habitat used by dispersing golden eagles."

A golden eagle's range or territory can extend to 77 square miles.

Muirhall's report explains that prior to construction, further consultation will be undertaken with the SSGEP. Any additional measures required to mitigate the risk of construction disturbance will be implemented. 

Measures would include: Define any Sensitive Working Zones and Exclusion Zones in consultation with a recognised eagle ecologist following an updated review of sat tag data from (SSGEP), and share details of these zones with SSGEP, NatureScot and Scottish Borders Council’s Ecologist; Schedule works to minimise the level of activity in sensitive working zones during the period February to May inclusive. This restriction to be extended until August should it be confirmed that golden eagles are breeding within the sensitive working zone.