LiDAR-coupled Digital Aerial Surveys

Natural England is currently implementing the ReSCUE (Reducing Seabird Collisions Using Evidence) project. ReSCUE is a multi-partner, multi-year initiative funded by The Crown Estate through the Offshore Wind Evidence & Change (OWEC) Programme. The project aims to develop our understanding of seabird flight heights to improve collision risk assessments and inform effective mitigation measures that reduce seabird collisions with offshore wind turbines. We will achieve this by: (a) providing confidence in methods of seabird flight height estimation; (b) assembling existing, and collecting new, fit-for- purpose evidence on seabird flight heights, and; (c) creating publicly available datasets and tools, and carrying out analyses that will inform guidance and recommendations for impact assessments and mitigation. This contract relates to evidence collection informing the above aims (a) and (b) and will contribute to the creation of outputs for aim (c). The upcoming contract aims to appoint a supplier(s) of Digital Aerial Surveys (DAS) coupled with airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) to collect data on the abundance and distribution of seabirds, and to provide altitude data for birds in flight. This will provide data to address evidence gaps that have been identified for specific species, areas (including within offshore wind farms), and times of year.