Turbines will have an impact on birds
It was with interest that I read about your teams findings regarding birds and wind turbines in the Cambs Times on October 3.
Over the past decade I have researched the potential impacts that wind turbines may have on the breeding/feeding grounds and possible habitat disturbance of both bird and general wildlife by such industrial developments on rural sites.
It would help further my research if the contents of the study could be clarified in more detail; I request an answer to the following:
1 — Why was this research conducted over a winter period and not Spring/Summer, when species are more abundant and activity at its greatest (excluding migratory waterfowl?)
2 — It is the norm that a three year Environmental Impact study is recommended for wind farm applications, do you not think that a few months research is maybe not adequate enough to gain accurate results.
3 — Small light framed seed/insect eating birds are abundant in domestic settings because of historical farmland habitat loss, therefore it is the MICRO wind turbine that potentially may impact on these birds and not the commercial turbine as stated.
It is misleading to suggest that turbines “Do not drive away birds”, because it’s possible it maybe the disruption of habitat or feeding ground by heavy construction and development that may impact more on wildlife and birds than the turbine itself.
The debate and concerns about wind turbine impacts on soaring/predator and migrating waterfowl species, is still very open to debate, the RSPB recently objected to wind farms in Scotland because of the concerns about the potential impact of turbine development on preferred feeding grounds, habitat disturbance, and blade collision.
4 — It is very important that your Fenland research sites be identified, because of the numerous SSSI and Ramsar sites within it, most of which is now being subjected to turbine development.
5 — Also important is to know who commissioned the study, and were the expertise of the local RSPB, WWT, and other independent ornithology experts consulted.
The Cambs Times incorrectly reports that this study has concluded its findings, this of course cannot be so, any study that advocates further research on the same subject is hardly conclusive and certainly premature with advice.
I await your response to my concern and questions,
JOHN STONEMAN
Cambs Environmental and Wildlife Protection (CEWP)
Welney
9 October 2008
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