Project
Protecting the vulnerable kittiwake: NIRAS’s comprehensive approach to ecological compensation
Credit: Steven Nicholson
The kittiwake has been predicted to be at risk of collisions with offshore wind farm developments. Recognising the urgency of this issue, NIRAS’s ornithological team has played a key role in the successful submission of Ørsted’s Hornsea 3 Offshore Wind Farm compensation plan.
July 26, 2024
- SECTORS: Offshore Wind
- COUNTRIES: United Kingdom
This innovative plan involves constructing four artificial nesting structures (ANS) along the east coast of England, designed to support breeding kittiwake populations (the kittiwake is currently facing a high risk of extinction) and advance the UK’s green transition.
Regulatory and Ecological Context
On July 1, 2020, the Secretary of State (SoS) for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) published a Draft Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) regarding the Development Consent Order (DCO) and Deemed Marine Licences for the Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm alongside a “Minded to Approve” letter. The assessment highlighted concerns about the potential adverse effects on the integrity of kittiwake populations within the Flamborough and the Filey Coast Special Protection Area (FFC SPA), due to in-combination collision impacts from the wind turbines.
The SoS concluded that these impacts could not be ruled out beyond reasonable scientific doubt, necessitating the development of a kittiwake Compensation Plan (KCP). This plan was required to ensure that compensatory measures would effectively offset the impact on the kittiwake feature of the FFC SPA and maintain the coherence of the Special Protection Areas (SPA) network.
NIRAS’s Key Contributions
In September 2020, traction was gained following further discussions with the SoS and the submission of detailed ecological evidence by NIRAS’ Technical Director, Robin Ward and Senior Ornithologist Liz Morgan as a response to the Minded to Approve letter. This pivotal step led to the acceptance of the ANS approach and the subsequent awarding of the DCO to Ørsted’s Hornsea 3 on December 31, 2020.
Design and Collaboration: Since the acceptance of the ANS proposal, NIRAS has worked closely with Ørsted, major stakeholders, architects, and engineers to develop and implement the structures. This collaboration included designing the ANS to optimise conditions for breeding kittiwakes and selecting suitable sites for installation. The Offshore Ornithology Engagement Group (OOEG) setup by Ørsted, which includes representatives from NIRAS, Natural England, RSPB, and other stakeholders, has been instrumental in advising on the implementation of these compensation measures.
To inform the site selection process and gather baseline data, NIRAS initiated monitoring of existing kittiwake colonies in East Anglia and north-east England in Spring/Summer 2021. This pre-construction monitoring aimed to assess the population sizes and breeding success rates of these colonies. Over the past three years, NIRAS has conducted annual population and productivity monitoring at these sites, providing a benchmark against which to assess ensuring the ongoing effectiveness of the compensation measures and guide in the future, the need if required for agile management.
NIRAS proposed using kittiwake decoys to attract prospective breeders to the ANS. These decoys, crafted from recycled fishing nets, were designed and painted based on expert advice. This innovative approach not only enhances the attractiveness of the ANS but also underscores NIRAS’ commitment to sustainable solutions.
"Kittiwakes are listed as at risk of extinction. These structures will offer a safe nesting environment, helping future generations of kittiwakes to flourish.
This innovative initiative sets a new standard in ecological compensation for offshore wind projects, demonstrating a commitment to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.”
Robin Ward, NIRAS Technical Director
Significance of the Hornsea 3 ANS Installations
Ørsted’s Hornsea 3is notable as the first offshore wind initiative requiring ecological compensation plans to offset potential impacts on kittiwake populations. These pioneering ANS installations are crucial in providing safe nesting environments away from predators and urban areas. As Robin Ward, NIRAS Technical Director, remarked, "Kittiwakes are listed as at risk of extinction. These structures will offer a safe nesting environment, helping future generations of kittiwakes to flourish. This innovative initiative sets a new standard in ecological compensation for offshore wind projects, demonstrating a commitment to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.”
Ideal Location and Design
East Suffolk was identified as the optimal location for three of the four ANS due to its existing, thriving kittiwake colonies. The structures are situated about 1 km offshore to minimise disruption to local residents and businesses while ensuring proximity to the kittiwake habitats. The strategic placement of these structures aims to enhance the chances of successful colonisation by the kittiwakes.
The design of the ANS draws inspiration from a 1990s project for displaced kittiwakes from the Baltic Flour Mill in Gateshead. The octagonal structures, supported by monopiles, are capable of housing approximately 500 breeding pairs. Key design features include:
The roof pitch and overhang has been crafted to deter avian predators, ensuring the safety of the nesting birds.
The nesting faces feature a mix of fully partitioned, open, and semi-partitioned ledges to provide insights into nesting preferences and inform future compensation projects.
Each nesting space is equipped with a sliding Perspex panel one-way window, allowing researchers to observe and monitor within the ANS to observe the kittiwakes without disturbing them. Additionally, two cameras on each ANS capture detailed footage of the birds' nesting behaviour.
Implementation and Ongoing Projects
Three of the four ANS were installed in East Anglia (two offshore from Lowestoft and one offshore from Minsmere) in May-June 2023. The fourth ANS is being constructed at Hartlepool, Teesmouth, after securing planning permissions and necessary site access. NIRAS has prepared Environmental and HRA Reports to support applications for non-material changes (NMC) to the DCO, ensuring that the installation timeline aligns with the operational schedule of Hornsea Three.
NIRAS maintains continuity in its involvement with Ørsted’s projects, including Hornsea Four’s ANS. This ongoing collaboration ensures that the design, site selection, and implementation processes benefit from the expertise and insights gained during the Hornsea 3 construction. For both , NIRAS’s Technical Director, Fraser Carter has been leading the Kittiwake Implementation and Monitoring Plan (KIMP) to ensure the effective deployment, monitoring and adaptive management of the ANS.
NIRAS’s role in the Hornsea 3 compensation plan exemplifies the successful integration of ecological conservation within renewable energy projects. Through strategic site selection, comprehensive monitoring, and pioneering design, NIRAS has set a new standard for ecological compensation in the offshore wind industry. This collaborative effort highlights NIRAS’s dedication to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development, paving the way for a greener future.
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