Risks to different populations and age classes of gannets from impacts of offshore wind farms in the southern North Sea

Pollock, Christopher J.; Lane, Jude V.; Buckingham, Lila; Garthe, Stefan; Jeavons, Ruth; Furness, Robert W.; Hamer, Keith C.. 2021 Risks to different populations and age classes of gannets from impacts of offshore wind farms in the southern North Sea. Marine Environmental Research, 171, 105457. 8, pp. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105457

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105457

Abstract/Summary

The southern North Sea holds the world's highest concentration of offshore wind farms (OWFs). Northern gannets (Morus bassanus), a species considered at high risk from OWF impacts, show a strong seasonal peak there in November, but it is unclear which populations and age classes are most at risk of collision with wind turbines. We tagged adult and juvenile gannets at the world's largest colony (Bass Rock) and reviewed two sources of survey data for different age classes to study their movements through southern North Sea waters. Tracked birds showed peak numbers in the southern North Sea in mid-October, with much smaller numbers there during November. Adults were distributed throughout the area, including waters close to OWFs, whereas juveniles were confined to the coast. Survey data indicated high proportions of immature gannets in southern North Sea waters, suggesting higher collision risk than for adults. Gannets present in November may be predominantly from colonies further north than Bass Rock.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105457
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Biodiversity (Science Area 2017-)
ISSN:	0141-1136
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.
Additional Keywords:	gannet, offshore wind farm, geolocator, immature, juvenile, collision risk, seabirds, marine ecology, population characteristics
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	04 Oct 2021 11:43 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/531165

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2021.105457

UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:

Biodiversity (Science Area 2017-)

ISSN:

0141-1136

Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:

Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link.

Additional Keywords:

gannet, offshore wind farm, geolocator, immature, juvenile, collision risk, seabirds, marine ecology, population characteristics