The wind farm site would provide a serious risk to both migratory and resident bird life
Hanging Houghton Wind Farm Proposal – environmental effects to local and migratory wild birds.
Background
We have been monitoring birds in the Hanging Houghton and Brixworth areas for twenty-five years. Mostly this is record keeping of scarcer species, plus noteworthy numbers of common species or unusual behaviour.
Up until 2004, all relevant records have been submitted for inclusion within the annual Northants Bird Report.
Within the immediate area, we undertake regular census work at Pitsford Reservoir (Common Bird Census, bird ringing and Wetlands Bird Survey). More locally, the immediate area has been subject of British Trust for Ornithology Bird Atlas census work, and bird ringing in Hanging Houghton itself.
Hanging Houghton and the site itself is positioned on the eastern escarpment of the Brampton Valley. River valleys are traditional migration routes for birds, and records indicate that this movement occurs throughout the year, but with high peaks during the autumn and spring. Birds migrate in all directions, but many moving through the Brampton Valley move in a southerly or northerly direction in line with the valley. Bird migration occurs throughout the day and night, with many small birds, wildfowl and waders preferring to move during the cover of darkness. Birds of prey, gulls, terns and large birds in general often migrate in the day.
The general area is relatively rich in bird life, and there is considerable movement between Pitsford Reservoir, Ravensthorpe Reservoir, Hollowell Reservoir, the Nene Valley, Harrington Airfield and similar areas of bird concentrations. Pitsford is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Ringing recoveries provides evidence of regular movement of birds originating from the SSSI site at Pitsford to the parish of Hanging Houghton (IPMR database British Trust for Ornithology).
The Hawk and Owl Trust work closely with a local landowner to provide a relatively extensive area of prime habitat for owls and birds of prey. This is actually at Blueberry Farm, which is an area of the Brampton Valley just south west of Maidwell. The project extends along the headlands and setaside into the valley below Hanging Houghton, and breeding birds forage far and wide. Key species include four breeding species of owl, with particular emphasis on the Barn Owl.
Red or amber alert species indicate those that are declining seriously due to a variety of factors. Such birds breeding in the in the immediate area include Grey Partridge, Spotted Flycatcher, Yellow Wagtail, Willow Tit, Tree Sparrow and Bullfinch.
This area falls relatively close to a Red Kite re-introduction scheme, which is now self –maintaining. Although this species is not known to be breeding within local village parishes, this area is currently on the brink of being colonised as the records of nomadic and wandering birds continues to increase.
This area of the East Midlands falls within the established migration corridor of birds moving in a diagonal line between the Wash Estuary (Lincs/Norfolk), and the Severn Estuary/Bristol Channel. This is further evidenced with localised records of pelagic species during the last twenty years (Long-tailed Skua, Pomarine Skua, Sandwich Tern etc), waders (including Dotterel and annual Whimbrel, Green Sandpiper etc), and long distance and scarce passerines (Black Redstart, Firecrest, Lapland Bunting and annual movements of Wheatear, Whinchat, Stonechat and Redstart).
Response to Section 6 of Scoping Report
The RSPB does support alternative means to provide green energy, but not when the proposal provides for significant risk to local wildlife. This charity has objected to large numbers of proposals, and entered notes of concern in respect of other projects.
Species move from the SSSI site at Pitsford to other local areas, often passing directly through the proposed site. This passage is sometimes most pronounced at night (audible), which is not a proposed survey strategy.
Access and assessment of the actual CBC maps and not the survey results would be valuable and useful to compare with our records. Three visits is the bare minimum we would expect for such a survey to merit credibility. Eight visits would provide a more constructive assessment.
Common Buzzard and Kestrel breed within 500m of the site. Hobby has bred nearby regularly for the last five years, less than 2km from the proposed site, with neighbouring pairs also making use of the general area.
Red Kites are not believed to be breeding within 2km, but are within 5km.
Several pairs of Barn Owl are established in the immediate neighbourhood, with two pairs breeding within 2km last year. Little and Tawny Owl breed within 2km, and Long-eared and Short-eared Owl hunt within a 2km radius.
Response to Section 5 of Scoping Report
We are no authority in respect of mammals, but note mammal records whilst committed to ornithological pursuits.
There is a significant Badger population existing on-site, with many of the current field boundaries providing cover for numerous setts.
Water Voles exist in very low numbers on the river system in the Brampton Valley (within1km of the proposed site). Recent tunnels in the banks were further confirmed with a single sighting of an animal during the last winter (2007/8). There is no proof of Otters, but it is considered likely that with records very close at Pitsford Reservoir, it is inconceivable that animals are not using the Brampton Valley as a natural transient corridor.
Brown Long-eared Bats and pipistrelle sp are resident within Hanging Houghton village, with two Noctules being seen during May 2008.
The only known newts established locally are Common Newts, and Grass Snakes are present in low numbers.
Summary
The wind farm site would provide a serious risk to both migratory and resident bird life. The primary risks are identified as follows:
Diurnal risk to birds of prey and large birds unable to manoeuvre around turbine propellers
Nocturnal risk of night time migrants and owls that are unaware of the risks or again are unable to manoeuvre past the turbines effectively.
The creation of a relatively large void area where no species can be expected to flourish or breed.
The exact area where the site is proposed is likely in itself to represent a significant risk of breeding habitat destruction. Species most likely to be affected would be Little Owl, Kestrel, Common Buzzard, Skylark, Yellow Wagtail and Yellowhammer. Most significantly, a rookery exists at Clint Hill Fox Covert (adjacent to the site), which will inevitably affect breeding birds through limited foraging opportunities and direct bird strikes. It is a foraging area for Golden Plover, Lapwing, corvids (Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Rook etc), gulls and pigeons and Skylark. Common Buzzard and Kestrel breed regularly very close to the site and will be unlikely to survive for long. Specific foraging from gulls locally has been reduced to the closure of the landfill site at Brixworth, but there remain large movements in the area which will undoubtedly come in to conflict with the turbines.
Neil & Eleanor McMahon
Oriole House
5 The Croft
Hanging Houghton
Northants
NN6 9HW
Tel 01604 880009
July 2008.