Abstract
The report presents results of the ornithological survey and monitoring at Saint Nikola Wind Farm (SNWF) in the period 01 December 2012 to15 March 2013, continuing from similar studies in previous winters before and after construction of SNWF. The primary objective of wintering bird studies at SNWF is to investigate the possible effects of the wind farm on geese populations, notably the Red-breasted Goose Branta ruficollis (RBG) due to its globally threatened conservation status. Previous years’ wintering studies at SNWF have been reported and presented for download on the AES SNWF website.
To date, as documented by previous reports, there have been no indications that SNWF has had any adverse impact on wintering geese, including RBG, and the more abundant Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons (GWFG). This report presents the latest findings, from the 2012/13 winter, which continued to scrutinise the possibility of an adverse impact on wintering geese through SNWF’s operation. This report also analyses the risk of collision with turbine blades across the study period, to date