Improving offshore wind environmental assessments by better understanding how seabird populations respond to additional mortality caused by avian influenza

This project will obtain up to date counts of species within colonies known to be impacted by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and which also are a potential consenting constraint for offshore wind farm (OWF) projects. Monitoring of numbers of breeding birds/pairs at a range of colonies and across several years (2024-2026) will provide robust estimates of Special Protection Area (SPA) population sizes that have been affected by HPAI for use in environmental assessments. This project will help document any further substantial changes to population sizes caused by outbreaks of HPAI during 2023 and beyond. This project will build upon colony counts undertaken during 2023 to help assess the ongoing impacts of HPAI. The project will also gather productivity data from a representative set of colonies, examine how these may vary temporally and spatially, and compare them with historic estimates. Consideration must also be given to how this updated information will be used in environmental assessments. Particular attention must be given to the need to consider SPA and non-SPA colonies in apportioning calculations and in determining whether, if not all colonies can be counted, how representative sampling of population size and productivity will be ensured. Given uncertainties about colony monitoring work that will be undertaken by other organisations in the future, as well as uncertainties around the future areas impacted by HPAI, the development of a thorough and clear monitoring plan by the contractor on an annual basis will be key to this work. Engagement with other bodies who may be planning on undertaking monitoring will also be crucial to avoid duplication of effort. The overarching objectives of the project are therefore: A. Develop and maintain a clear monitoring plan for relevant seabird colony counts; B. Obtain up to date seabird colony population size and productivity data for agreed colonies; C. Identify any spatial and temporal variation or patterns in changes in population size or productivity as a result of HPAI; D. Consider how the new information collected should be incorporated into environmental assessments Additional information: Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.