Onshore windfarm – ecology surveys
Onshore windfarm – ecology surveys
19 March 2024
Onshore windfarm – ecology surveys
Common Lizard – MWT: https://www.mwt.im/wildlife-explorer/reptiles/common-lizard
Pic credit: ©Jon Hawkins Surrey Hills Photography on MWT website
Manx Utilities’ onshore wind consultants Wardell Armstrong are continuing their ecology surveys at Earystane in the South of the Island. This forms part of the environmental impact assessment for the Island’s proposed onshore windfarm.
Reptile mats have been deployed to coincide with the end of hibernation and involve seven survey periods which will be ongoing until at least September 2024, depending on weather.
There are over 700 reptile mats installed across the site and neighbouring areas to capture a full range of possible locations where lizards may choose to rest, which include both sunny locations and more camouflaged spots.
Surveys to take place are as follows:
- March 2024 – common frog surveys within waterbodies
- April 2024 – reptile surveys using mats
- April 2024 – further bird & bat surveys
A full ecology timetable has been published on Manx Utilities’ website: https://manxutilities.im/media/2829/ecology-survey-timetable.png
