Ornithological surveys were conducted in relation to an impact
assessment for two offshore wind farms: the Burbo Bank Extension
and Walney Extension (Fig. 1). These provided detailed information
on the abundance and distribution of birds through a one year period
for Burbo (210 km2
) and two years for Walney (463 km2
), with approximately
one month intervals between surveys. The key data
input for producing this information was monthly descriptions of
bird and mammal densities and distribution within the wind farm
areas and 4 km buffer zones around these. In the ornithological surveys,
digital imaging aerial survey combined with automated extraction
of image data features was the method used. The digital imaging
aerial survey represents the basis for recording of the situation
existing over a given areal extent at a given moment in time, including
all birds present and visible to the imaging system. The automated
extraction of image data features is seen as representing an
effective means of transforming the image data into the required information
on bird species densities and abundances.