Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus population trends in relation to wind farms
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Accepted Version
Date
2016-12-02
Authors
Wilson, Mark W.
Fernández-Bellon, Darío
Irwin, Sandra
O'Halloran, John
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Published Version
Abstract
Capsule: The data presented here demonstrate a considerable spatial overlap between wind farms and the breeding distribution of Hen Harriers in Ireland, but evidence for a negative impact of wind farms on their population is weak. Aims: To assess the extent of the overlap between wind farms and breeding Hen Harriers and to investigate their potential impact on Hen Harrier population trends. Methods: Data on Hen Harrier breeding distribution in 10 km × 10 km survey squares from national surveys were used in conjunction with information on the location of wind farms to examine whether, and to what extent, changes in Hen Harrier distribution and abundance between 2000 and 2010 were related to wind energy development. Results: Of the 69 survey squares holding Hen Harriers during the 2010 breeding season, 28% also overlapped with one or more wind farms. Data from 36 of the squares with breeding Hen Harriers during the 2000 survey revealed a marginally non-significant negative relationship between wind farm presence and change in the number of breeding pairs between 2000 and 2010. Conclusions: A considerable overlap exists between Hen Harrier breeding distribution and the location of wind farms in Ireland, particularly in areas between 200 and 400 m above sea level. The presence of wind farms is negatively related to Hen Harrier population trends in squares surveyed in 2000 and 2010, but this relationship is not statistically significant, and may not be causal. This is the first study to assess the influence of wind energy development on Hen Harriers at such a large geographic and population scale.
Description
Keywords
Hen Harriers , Wind farms , Breeding distribution , Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus , Wind energy
Citation
Wilson, M. W., Fernández-Bellon, D., Irwin, S. and O’Halloran, J. (2017) 'Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus population trends in relation to wind farms', Bird Study, 64(1), pp. 20-29. doi:10.1080/00063657.2016.1262815
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Copyright
© 2016, Taylor & Francis. This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Bird Study on 02/12/2016, available online: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00063657.2016.1262815