Using integrated radar-camera technology to study seabird flight behaviour at Vattenfall's European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre

• Main Authors: 3rd World Seabird Conference 2021, Armitage, Mike
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: Underline Science Inc. 2021
• Subjects: Ecosystem; Ecology; FOS Biological sciences; Emerging Technologies; Armitage; Black-legged Kittiwake
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.48448/anxa-p330; https://underline.io/lecture/34608-using-integrated-radar-camera-technology-to-study-seabird-flight-behaviour-at-vattenfall's-european-offshore-wind-deployment-centre

Abstract: Using integrated radar-camera technology to study seabird flight behaviour at Vattenfall's European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre Vattenfall has been carrying out its ground-breaking environmental research at the Aberdeen Offshore Windfarm (EOWDC). The project is being managed by RPS and DHI who have deployed high-performance, integrated radar-camera technology on turbines to monitor the flight patterns of breeding seabirds at the EOWDC facility over the course of two years. The aim of the project is to improve the understanding of seabird flight behaviour and reduce uncertainty in the assessment of the potential impacts of offshore windfarms. The study has been generating data on bird flight activity since the installation of the equipment in late summer 2019. Radar and video recordings provide tracks of birds that allow us to examine species-specific flight and foraging behaviour, flight height, flight speed and meso- and micro-avoidance, as well as detection of collisions. Initial results demonstrated that the equipment is functioning as planned. The project focusses on Northern Gannet, Black-legged Kittiwake and large gull species. The initial trial period in late summer 2019 provided data to refine the analytical design and highlighted the challenges of data collection and analysis, including consideration of objectively classifying and quantifying micro-avoidance behaviour, data collection in rough weather conditions, tracking multiple targets and shadow-effect of turbines. At the 3rd World Seabird Conference, we will present the results of the monitoring from the first full seabird breeding season in 2020. Authors: Mike Armitage¹, Henrik Skov² ¹RPS Group, ²DHI