Assessing movements of Lesser Black-backed Gulls using GPS tracking devices in relation to the Galloper Wind Farm

Assessing movements of Lesser Black-backed Gulls using GPS tracking devices in relation to the Galloper Wind Farm

BTO Research Report, 2023

Citation

Green, R.M., Thaxter, C.B., Johnston, D.T., Boersch-Supan, P.H., Bouten, W. & Burton, N.H.K. 2023. Assessing movements of Lesser Black-backed Gulls using GPS tracking devices in relation to the Galloper Wind Farm. BTO Research Report 758: British Trust for Ornithology, Thetford, UK
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Overview

A programme of Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus tagging and tracking work was initiated within the Alde-Ore Estuary Special Protection Area during the 2019 breeding season, and continued throughout the 2020 breeding season, in order to fulfil requirements of the Galloper Wind Farm Ornithological Monitoring Programme and test key predictions of the Environmental Statement. The results from both the 2019 and 2020 breeding seasons of tracking are summarised within this report. 

In more detail

The tracking study undertaken in 2019 and 2020 revealed that Lesser Black‐backed Gulls from the Alde‐Ore Estuary SPA showed significant use of both the Galloper and Greater Gabbard Wind Farms, although overall use of the GWF was similar to preconstruction studies. While Lesser Black‐backed Gulls showed little macro‐avoidance of these sites, and there was evidence of attraction to substations/service platforms, analyses of movements within the Galloper and Greater Gabbard Wind Farms suggested significant mesoavoidance of the turbine rows.

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