Birds on Nocton Fen

Birdlife on Nocton Fen

During a recent conversation about the proposed wind farm, I was challenged to investigate the type of birdlife that inhabits/visits Nocton Fen. I must say I was surprised by my findings.

There appears to be a diverse population of our feathered friends which either inhabit or visit Nocton Fen, including (but not limited to) the following:

Sparrow Hawk, Peregrine Falcons, Kestrel, Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzards, Little Owls, Barn Owls, Short-eared Owls, Marsh Tit, Snow Bunting, Common Snipe, Whooper Swans, Mute Swans, Bewick Swan, Pink-footed Geese, Greylag Geese, Teal, Mallard, Moorhen, Green Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, numerous Linnets, Fieldfares, Lapwing and Golden Plover.

Sources:
http://www.rodcollins.com/wordpress/nocton-fen-birdwatching-photography-visitors-guide
http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=20111
http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=20021
http://birdmanbirds.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/kestrel-nocton-fen-september-2011.html
http://birdmanbirds.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/short-eared-owl-nocton-fen-january-2012.html
http://birdmanbirds.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/peregrin-falcon-nocton-fen-december-2013.html

I have selected a number of papers which examine the impact of wind farms on resident birds:

Assessing the impacts of wind farms on birds
Allan L Drewitt, Rowena H W Langston

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1474-919X.2006.00516.x/full

Variation in bat and bird fatalities at wind energy facilities: assessing the effects of rotor size and tower height
Robert M R Barclay, E F Baerwald, J C Gruvera

http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/abs/10.1139/z07-011

Minimal effects of wind turbines on the distribution of wintering farmland birds
Claire L Deveraux, Matthew J H Denny, Mark J Whittingham

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2008.01560.x/full

Large scale risk-assessment of wind-farms on population viability of a globally endangered long-lived raptor
Martina Carrete, Jose A Sanchez-Zapata, Jose R Benitez, Manuel Lobon, Jose A Donazar

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320709003383

Wind turbine bird deaths - company pays $1m fine
'A major US wind energy company is fined $1 million in the country's first-ever settlement over bird deaths caused by wind turbines, after 149 protected birds were killed.'

http://www.theecologist.org/News/news_analysis/2176416/wind_turbine_bird_deaths_company_pays_1m_fine.html

I expect the Environmental Impact Assessment required by planning regulations to examine all implications, so that local residents can then form an educated and rational opinion on the situation.

Farmers' leaders protest over 'green' subsidy plan
'The RSPB, which has registered huge losses in farmland birds through intensive subsidised farming, has taken a full-page advertisement in the Times warning: "This weekend the prime minister could cut the life from the English countryside." '

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25373266

Views of Councillor Marianne Overton

We all want renewable energy, but at what price?
'Wind Turbines and Solar Arrays are marching in on Lincolnshire, helped by tax payer subsidies. Where is the balance between what we need and the effect on our greatest asset after its people – Lincolnshire’s countryside?'

http://thelincolnite.co.uk/2013/12/we-all-want-renewable-energy-but-at-what-price/

National Infrastructure Planning

Nocton Fen Wind Farm by Vattenfall Wind Power Ltd

http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk/projects/east-midlands/nocton-fen-wind-farm/

Vattenfall Corporate

'Vattenfall is one of Europe's largest generators of electricity and the largest producer of heat. Our main products are electricity, heat and gas.'

http://corporate.vattenfall.com/about-vattenfall/