The Scottish Government will, as usual, no doubt rubber-stamp the
implantation of hundreds of bird-killing off-shore wind-turbines in close
proximity to our fabulous seabird colonies such as Bass Rock. The latest
research shows that, beyond any doubt, gannets will be using airspace where
most damage will be caused (“Fears that offshore turbines may kill up to
1,500 sea birds”, The Herald, September 28).
For Hannah Smith of Scottish Renewables to say the sample size is too small
shows a total lack of knowledge on the behaviour of seabirds such as
gannets. Gannets behave similarly. When fish are near the surface they make
shallow dives, when fish are deeper they dive from considerable height.
Even the most novice birdwatcher knows this and now it has been proven with
accurate data.
The bases of the proposed killer turbines will also attract fish, as do all
artificial sub-marine structures. Gannets and other seabirds will in turn
be attracted to these, and killed. I fear the predicted 1,500 deaths will
prove a gross under-estimate.
While gannets have keen eyesight they are not so good in sea-fog (or haar)
or in sleet or hail, when turbines will be rotating at their fastest.
Gannets, and many other seabirds such as Fulmars and gulls are also active
at night. One only has to watch a fishing documentary on TV to notice that
the seas around trawlers are covered in birds even in the pitch black of
night.
The offshore construction of wind turbines should be halted until more
thoughtful planning and advice is sought. Indeed the Government should buck
its trend and accept that offshore turbines are little more than seabird
killing machines.
Bernard Zonfrillo,
28 Brodie Road,
Glasgow
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