TY - JOUR
TI - Effects of the Construction of Scroby Sands Offshore Wind Farm on the Prey Base of Little Tern Sternula albifons at its Most Important UK Colony
AU - Perrow, M
AU - Gilroy, J
AU - Skeate, E
AU - Tomlinson, M
T2 - Marine Pollution Bulletin
AB - Despite widespread interest in the impacts of wind farms upon birds, few researchers have examined the potential for indirect or trophic (predator–prey) effects. Using surface trawls, we monitored prey abundance before and after construction of a 30 turbine offshore wind farm sited close to an internationally important colony of Little terns. Observations confirmed that young-of-the-year clupeids dominated chick diet, which trawl samples suggested were mainly herring. Multivariate modelling indicated a significant reduction in herring abundance from 2004 onwards that could not be explained by environmental factors. Intensely noisy monopile installation during the winter spawning period was suggested to be responsible. Reduced prey abundance corresponded with a significant decline in Little tern foraging success. Unprecedented egg abandonment and lack of chick hatching tentatively suggested a colony-scale response in some years. We urge a precautionary approach to the timing and duration of pile-driving activity supported with long-term targeted monitoring of sensitive receptors.
DA - 2011/08//
PY - 2011
VL - 62
IS - 8
SP - 1661
EP - 1670
UR - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X11003341
DO - 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2011.06.010
LA - English
KW - Wind Energy
KW - Fixed Offshore Wind
KW - Noise
KW - Birds
KW - Seabirds
KW - Ecosystem Processes
KW - Fish
ER -