• Continue to revise current site Biodiversity Action Plans and review current biodiversity strategy within Energy Wholesale to identify key priorities for future work

Biodiversity Action Plans

Blackburn Mill CHP Biodiversity Action Plan was implemented in 2007 restoring the number of our generating stations that have published Biodiversity Action Plans to nine.

By publishing Biodiversity Action Plans, our sites are formalising their approach to biodiversity and setting out timeframes to implement measures to improve habitats and conditions for wildlife. The plans we have developed at our generation sites are not part of any statutory obligations or license conditions.

It is proposed to develop Biodiversity Action Plans for existing and new windfarm sites that are not covered by Habitat Management Plans.

BAPs site by site detail

Blackburn Mill CHP

• Blackburn Mill CHP launched its Biodiversity Action Plan in 2007 to establish the potential impact of operations on biodiversity. Staff worked with experts from the RSPB and Lancashire Wildlife Trust to identify priority habitats and species on site, and its adjacent mixed woodland. They are also working with local scouts to implement small-scale Biodiversity Action Plan habitat improvements, such as erecting nesting boxes and feeding stations for birds, tree planting, coppicing and general woodland management

Longannet

• Ongoing monitoring of invertebrates at Longannet’s ash settling lagoons at Valleyfield has resulted in a new species of hoverfly for Scotland - Callicera aurata - previously unrecorded further north than Yorkshire
• Stonechats nested at Valleyfield Lagoons for the first time
  
  For more information see our Biodiversity Action Plans case study.

Cockenzie

• A build-up of silt and organic deposits on the wader scrapes at Musselburgh Ash Lagoons was encouraging emergent vegetation, such as reeds and rushes. Tonnes of material were extracted from the scrapes, resulting in a significant improvement in water quality. In November 2007, trials to temporarily flood two scrapes with seawater as a method of vegetation control were facilitated. The results will be evaluated in spring 2008
• Continued to implement its Biodiversity Action Plan, with a project to plant native shrubs and plants, such as Bramble, Gorse and Nettle, at its coal plant’s perimeter fence
  
  For more information see our Biodiversity Action Plans case study.

Damhead Creek

• A pair of Marsh Harriers successfully raised four young at land set aside as a sanctuary for wildlife - the first time the protected species has nested on the extensive reedbed. Damhead Creek has an active nestbox programme for birds of prey and three pairs of Barns Owls raised up to eight owlets in 2007, while a pair of Kestrels nested successfully for the first time and raised five chicks. All the young birds were ringed by wildlife experts, working with station staff, so their progress can be monitored

Windfarm Habitat Management Areas

ScottishPower Renewable Energy is a leader in the field of developing Habitat Management Plans to mitigate for the impact of our windfarm developments. Some of this development is a statutory requirement of the planning process, however we also carry out significant work beyond what is legally required.

In December 2007, we continued implementing Habitat Management Plans at four Scottish windfarms – Beinn an Tuirc and Cruach Mhor in Argyll, Black Law in Lanarkshire, and Beinn Tharsuinn in the Scottish Highlands.

At each site, a Habitat Management Area has been set aside for biodiversity conservation.

By improving habitats, through measures such as removing commercial forestry and restoring blanket bog, we aim to demonstrate that our windfarms can live in harmony with wildlife and local people. Key species benefiting from our work include Golden Eagle, Hen Harrier, Black Grouse, Otter, Water Vole and wading birds.

Black Law

• Four species of UK Biodiversity Action Plan birds have benefited from our initiative to create sacrificial crops for farmland passerines. Studies in winter 2006/07, the first time crops were left unharvested for small birds, show a rise in numbers to 100 birds of 13 species using the cropping strips. These included Bullfinch, Linnet, Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting. Prior to this, only six birds of five species were recorded using the area

Cruach Mhor

• The population of Black Grouse at the Habitat Management Area has increased since the windfarm began operating. We removed non-native conifer plantations to allow the regeneration of blanket bog and moorland. Just one lekking male was recorded in 2005 but studies in 2007 indicated three lekking males, plus one close to the Habitat Enhancement Area, were present
  
  
• Three pairs of Hen Harriers were present in 2007, however nesting attempts met with poor success due to a critical regional shortage of its main prey species, Field Voles. One pair hatched three young from a nest in the Habitat Enhancement Area but the chicks were predated, probably by a Fox. Nevertheless, 11 young have successfully fledged at Cruach Mhor since 2003. One pair of Short-eared Owls displayed at Cruach Mhor in 2007 but was not thought to have made a nesting attempt – again likely as a result of a shortage of its prey species

Beinn an Tuirc

• The resident female Golden Eagle was present throughout the year but due to the absence of a male no nesting attempt was made. A young adult male appeared at the site in November and its arrival was marked by flight displays and pair bonding activity, raising hopes breeding could take place in 2008. Supplementary feeding of the eagles began in winter 2006/07 to improve their breeding condition and this was continued in winter 2007/08

Beinn Tharsuinn

• Preparation work began to plant around 20,000 native deciduous trees, such as Scots Pine, Rowan, Birch and Alder in March 2008. This will be biggest tree planting exercise we have undertaken to date, and it is hoped it will improve the site’s landscape character and biodiversity, particularly species such as Black Grouse. A survey in spring 2007 found four lekking males within the Land Management Area and two others nearby

Future Developments

In 2008, a further five Habitat Management Plans will become active with the commissioning of Whitelee, Greenknowes and Wether Hill windfarms, plus extensions to existing windfarm sites at Dun Law and Hagshaw Hill.

At Whitelee, the proposed Habitat Management Area will cover 2,547 hectares – the largest area to be devoted to biodiversity conservation at any of our windfarms.

Our advanced consultation for Whitelee also identified a nationally scarce plant, Veilwort, within the proposed Habitat Management Area – representing the most northern records of the species in the UK. Monitoring to map the full range of the plant will commence in 2008 to provide information on the best management options. For more information, see our Whitelee Windfarm Habitat Management Area case study.

At Greenknowes, an upland site similar to those at Cruach Mhor and Beinn Tharsuinn, we are proposing to plant 19,600 native deciduous trees to improve long-term conditions for key target species, Black Grouse, prior to commissioning.

Planning is continuing with a view to implementing Habitat Management Plans at future windfarm sites, including Arrecleoch, Harestanes and Beinn an Tuirc Phase II from 2009 onwards.

Biodiversity Procedure in EnergyNetworks

A comprehensive Biodiversity Procedure has been developed for major projects in EnergyNetworks, including the construction of overhead lines and substations. The procedure covers projects from the planning and consultation phase through to the development of site specific plans to protect biodiversity and habitats during construction. Staff and contractors receive training in the plans which include, where appropriate, identification of species and procedures that must be followed to minimise disturbance to wildlife or habitats. A key part of the procedure is follow up maintenance and monitoring when construction is complete.

Key areas of work undertaken in 2007 were:

• Rerouted the cable connection for Whitelee Windfarm to avoid potential impact on Badger setts along its proposed path
• Worked with the local Countryside Ranger to relocate a colony of Six-spot Burnet moths during work to extend East Kilbride sub-station. Steps were taken to preserve the moths and their food plant, Bird’s-foot Trefoil, to a secure area where the construction work would not affect them
• Plans were progressed to create habitat corridors for wildlife, during work to construct new sub stations at Coalburn and Elvanfoot, as part of the upgrade of the West Coast Interconnector. At Coalburn, it is proposed to plant mature trees, reinstate hedgerows and restore landscape features, while on the open moorland at Elvanfoot, we will plant trees and shrubs along water courses to enhance biodiversity and landscape character
• EnergyNetworks overcame major challenges to successfully lay cables under the Dovey Estuary to replace connections between Aberdovey and Aberyswyth in Wales. The site is a highly sensitive habitat for breeding wading birds, comprising marshes, mudflats, sand dunes and sandbanks and has numerous designations including Natura, Ramsar, National Nature Reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest. Part of the estuary is also a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) Biosphere Reserve