5.2 Field Survey Results

5.2.1           Confirmed Schedule 1 and BoCC Red list species

The breeding bird survey identified a single Schedule 1 breeding species, peregrine.

A total of eight BoCC Red Listed species were assessed as breeding following the three survey visits across the Study Area. The number of birds showing evidence of breeding activity during the three survey visits, and the calculated number of territories, are summarised per species in Table 2 below. The location of the peregrine breeding attempt is shown in Volume 5, Confidential Appendix Figure 8.1.3 and the territories for each BoCC Red listed species are shown on Appendix Figure 8.1.4

Table 2 - Breeding bird survey results – BoCC Red list species

The most frequently recorded BoCC Red listed species were skylark (78 territories), yellowhammer (17 territories) and song thrush (6 territories). These three species are associated with farmland, scrub and hedgerow habitats which were recorded throughout the Study Area.

5.2.2           Confirmed BoCC Amber list and other common breeding species

In addition to the above eight species a further four BoCC Amber listed species (dunnock (Prunella modularis), meadow pipit (Anthus pratensis), reed bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) and willow warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus)) and a further 14 common species were also confirmed as breeding within the Study Area.

5.2.3           Likely breeding species

In addition to the confirmed breeding species a total of 47 other species were recorded during the three survey visits. Due to Covid-19 restrictions the first survey visit was not completed until June 20th meaning a number of common breeding species were present but no longer displaying obvious signs of breeding i.e. singing from their territories.

Of the 47 additional species recorded the following ‘likely’ breeding species includes six additional BoCC Red Listed species: grey wagtail (Motacilla cinerea); lesser redpoll (Acanthis cabaret); house sparrow (Passer domesticus); mistle thrush (Turdus viscivorus); starling (Sturnus vulgaris) and tree sparrow (Passer montanus).

5.2.4           Non-breeding records of bird species of conservation concern

In addition to the above species a number of wading, seabird and wildfowl species were recorded using the Study Area during the three survey visits. A total of six wader species: curlew; lapwing; oystercatcher; redshank; ringed plover and whimbrel (Numensis phaeopus) were recorded, with the majority of registrations of birds using the coastal strip for foraging or roosting purposes.

Gull species were recorded frequently, both along the coastal strip and also foraging and roosting in fields within the Study Area. Herring gull, black-headed gull and lesser black-backed gull were frequently recorded during all three survey visits, while great black-backed gull and common gull were occasionally recorded, and a single record of an immature Mediterranean gull (Larus melanocephalus) was recorded on the coast during the second survey visit in July. Other seabirds recorded include three Sandwich tern and a fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) all noted in the tidal area of the Study Area during the first survey visit in June.

Four wildfowl species were recorded during survey: goosander (Mergus merganser), greylag goose (Anser anser) (assumed to be part of the feral resident breeding population), mallard and teal (Anas crecca).

The full list of species recorded during the breeding bird survey is shown in Annex B: Table B1.

6. Discussion

6.1 Nature Conservation Designations

As identified in Section 5.1.1.1 the Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex SPA lies directly east of Site, the nearest point being overlapped by the Site within the intertidal zone. Although, there is no direct overlap between the onshore Proposed Development footprint and the SPA boundary (located at the Mean Low Water Springs (MLWS) line) at any point from making landfall and the remainder of the onshore cable route and associated infrastructure. The edge of the SPA lies 220 m away at its closest point from the nearest infrastructure (i.e. landfall and the transition joint bays).

The SPA is designated primarily for migratory and over wintering species but is also for five breeding species of seabird (Atlantic puffin, black-legged kittiwake, Manx shearwater, common guillemot and herring gull). None of these species were recorded breeding during the breeding bird survey although herring gull was frequently recorded both loafing and foraging along the coastal strip and within open fields.

The Firth of Forth SPA lies 5.9 km north of the site is designated only for migratory and over-wintering species.

St Abb's Head to Fast Castle SPA lies 6.9km south-east of the Site and is designated for its breeding seabirds including nationally important populations of the following species: razorbill; common guillemot; black-legged kittiwake; herring gull; and European shag. As outlined above of these species only herring gull was recorded during surveys and no evidence of breeding was noted.

Forth Islands SPA is designated for regularly supporting populations of Arctic tern, roseate tern, common tern and Sandwich tern. The SPA further qualifies for regularly supporting populations northern gannet, European shag, lesser black-backed gull and Atlantic puffin. The SPA boundary lies 13.8 km north-west of the Site boundary, at its closest point, and is also designated for a number of seabird species of which Sandwich tern, herring gull, great cormorant and lesser black-backed gull were all recorded during the breeding bird survey. No evidence of breeding activity was recorded for any of these species.

The proximity of Outer Firth of Forth and St Andrews Bay Complex SPA means works may have the possibility to impact on birds within this protected site due to visual and noise disturbance. Other species from the other three SPAs may forage within the Site and wider area, also. These impacts are likely to be short term and temporary in nature and will need to be taken into consideration in the Proposed Development process.

6.2 Species

6.2.1           Peregrine

Peregrine is listed both as a Schedule 1 and Annex 1 species and is legally protected accordingly.

A pair of peregrines were recorded holding territory in the Study Area (see Volume 5, Confidential Appendix Figure 8.1.3). The nest location was recorded over 1 km from the nearest proposed infrastructure.

6.2.2           Red / Amber Listed / SPL and LBAP Species

The Site contains a number of different habitats which provide suitable breeding habitat for a range of lowland, farmland, woodland and wetland bird species. Although none of the 26 breeding species recorded are afforded specific protection under any legislation beyond that of all breeding birds, eight of the recorded species are Red listed on the BoCC and a further four are Amber listed. Of these 12, 11 are also SBL priority species and, as such, are considered to be species of conservation concern.

7. References

Bibby C.J., Burgess N.D., Hill D.A. and Mustoe S.H. (2000). Bird Census Techniques, 2nd Edition. Academic Press, London.

East Lothian Council (2017). Biodiversity Report 2017. East Lothian Council.  Available online at: https://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/downloads/file/23321/biodiversity_report_2017

Eaton MA, Aebischer NJ, Brown AF, Hearn RD, Lock L, MusgroveAJ, Noble DG, Stroud DA and Gregory RD (2015). Birds of Conservation Concern 4: the population status of birds in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. British Birds 108, 708–746. Available online at: www.britishbirds.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/BoCC4.pdf (accessed February 2022).

Gilbert G, Gibbons DW & Evans J (2011). Bird monitoring methods, a manual of techniques for key UK species. RSPB, Sandy, Bedfordshire UK.

ITPEnergised (2021). Berwick Bank Ecological Desk Study. Unpublished.

Scotland’s Environment Interactive Map. Available online at: https://map.environment.gov.scot/sewebmap/ (accessed February 2022).

Scottish Government (2013). Scottish Biodiversity List. Version 1.5. Available online at: http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Environment/Wildlife-Habitats/16118/Biodiversitylist/SBL (accessed February 2022).

Stanbury, A., Eaton, M., Aebischer, N., Balmer, D., Brown, A., Douse, A., Lindley, P., McCulloch, N., Noble, D., and Win I. (2021). The status of our bird populations: the fifth Birds of Conservation Concern in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man and second IUCN Red List assessment of extinction risk for Great Britain. British Birds 114: 723-747. Available online at https://britishbirds.co.uk/content/status-our-bird-populations.

Annex A – Desk study results

Table A1 – Desk study results