Seabird–wind farm interactions during the breeding season vary within and between years: A case study of lesser black-backed gull Larus fuscus in the UK. (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Thaxter, Chris B.; Ross-Smith, Viola H.; Bouten, Willem; Clark, Nigel A.; Conway, Greg J.; Rehfisch, Mark M.; Burton, Niall H.K.
• Is Part Of: Biological conservation. Volume 186(2015)
• Page Start: 347
• Page End: 358
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Collision risk -- Connectivity -- Foraging behaviour -- GPS tracking -- Renewable energy development; Conservation of natural resources -- Periodicals; Nature conservation -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 333.9516
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2015.03.027
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0006-3207

Abstract

Highlights: Food availability may affect habitat used by seabirds and interactions with wind farms. We use GPS telemetry to study lesser black-backed gulls for three breeding seasons. Birds used offshore wind farm areas ("OWFAs") during early chick-rearing. OWFAs were used most in 2010, least in 2012 and varied between birds and sexes. Longer-term tracking of animals is ideally needed to inform impact assessments. Abstract: The marine environment is increasingly pressured from human activities, such as offshore renewable energy developments. Offshore wind farms may pose direct risks to seabirds at protected breeding sites. However, changes in food availability may influence foraging behaviour and habitat use during the breeding season or between years. Consequently, seabird–wind farm interactions, and risks posed to populations, may vary over longer time scales, but this has seldom been quantified. We used GPS-telemetry to study the movements of 25 lesser black-backed gulls from the Alde–Ore Special Protection Area (SPA), UK between 2010 and 2012, while birds were associated with their breeding colony. Variation in movements away from the colony, offshore, and in operational, consented and proposed Offshore Wind Farm Areas ("OWFAs") was investigated: (1) between years and (2) across the breeding season, addressing: (3) sex-specific, (4) individual and (5) diurnal/nocturnal differences. The extent of overlaps with OWFAs varied between years, being greatest in 2010 (7/10 birds showing connectivity; area overlap: 6.2 ± 7.1%; time budget overlap: 4.6 ± 6.2%) and least in 2012. Marine habitats close to the colony were used before breeding. Birds spent little time offshore as incubation commenced, but offshore usage again peaked during the early chick-rearing period, corresponding with use of OWFAs. Individuals differed in their seasonal interactions with OWFAs between years, and males used OWFAs significantly more than females later in the breeding season. This study demonstrates the importance of tracking animals over longer periods, without which impact assessments may incorrectly estimate the magnitude of risks posed to protected populations.