Foraging ranges of northern gannets Morus bassanus in relation to proposed offshore wind farms in the UK: 2010-2012

A report has been produced by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) for the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), presenting the results of a three year study on the foraging ranges of adult northern gannets (Morus bassanus) in relation to offshore wind farms and wind farm zones. The study was funded by the DECC Offshore Energy Strategic Environmental Assessment programme.

The investigation was conducted using satellite tracking tags on 42 birds within Bempton Cliffs during a three year period from 2010 to 2012, to determine the ranges of each bird during the chick-rearing and early post-breeding periods. The study presents a new analysis into gannet foraging ranges and their current locations along Bempton Cliffs, with specific focus to the operation and proposals of offshore wind farms. The results provide a comparable analysis with other gannet colony data sets (e.g. Bass Rock).

To find out more about the report and its results presented follow this link.

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