As part of the consenting process for The National Grid Hinkley Connection Project, a tracking study was commissioned to track the movements of 15 Wigeon Anas penelope, with specific objectives to provide data on the flight paths that birds might take between the Severn Estuary SPA and the Somerset Levels and Moors SPA, and to explore how these relate to the route of the National Grid Hinkley Connection Project between Bridgwater and Seabank. Investigations also examined the frequency of movements through the winter period, and the flight heights and speeds of birds.

A key step in understanding the possible impacts of a proposed windfarm development is to identify potential interactions between seabird breeding colonies and the proposed development areas. Such interactions are typically assessed using generic information on foraging ranges, derived from academic studies. This report uses the latest data to provide updated estimates of foraging range, which will help to ensure that the best available information is available when new developments are being considered.

This report provides an assessment of the impact of BTO science over the period 2012–2018, measured in terms of knowledge and information, policies and management, species and habitats, people and society and collaboration and capacity building. It is the written evidence reviewed by an Independent Panel, whose findings are available to read here (PDF, 684 KB).

This report presents the results of GPS tracking of Lesser Black-backed Gulls (Larus fuscus) breeding at the Bowland Fells Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Protection Area (SPA) in 2017 and 2018. The report builds on previous results from 2016. The aims of the study were to identify potential feeding areas and to quantify the amount of time spent by the gulls within the SPA boundary.