Bird and Marine Mammal Surveys Underway at First Flight Wind’s Site

Natural Power, a renewable energy consultancy headquartered in Scotland, is conducting surveys of birds and marine mammals at the First Flight Wind offshore wind farm site in the Irish Sea.

Natural Power’s team of ornithologists and marine mammal observers commenced survey work in July 2013, using a local Kilkeel vessel, the Glenravel. The last from a series of surveys was undertaken on May 13, and the next one is scheduled for June.

The survey involves a search for birds and marine mammals, in order to collect data suitable for analysis and impact assessment. Each monthly survey takes two days. The surveys will progress up to, and including, November 2014.

These boat-based bird and marine mammal surveys are being carried out in support of the First Flight Wind Offshore Wind Farm application.

First Flight Wind, a consortium comprising B9 Energy, DONG Energy and Renewable Energy Systems Ltd (RES), plans to develop a 600MW offshore wind farm in the waters off the coast of County Down, Northern Ireland.