Abstract
A breeding bird study was conducted in the two areas proposed for the Searsburg/Readsboro Expansion Wind Power Project in Bennington County, Vermont. The project is a proposed expansion of the existing wind power project and is on hills immediately adjacent to the existing project site. The study was conducted after a project-specific avian risk assessment recommended that a nesting study be conducted. The focus of the breeding bird study was to determine whether listed species were nesting locally and whether there were likely to be significant impacts resulting to listed or common species from construction of the project and associated infrastructure. The object of the study was to identify the species, numbers of individuals, and distribution of those birds along the eastern and western transect areas where turbines are proposed. A total of thirty-two (32) point count locations were established along transects on the eastern (12 point counts - immediately south of existing turbines) and western (20 point counts) mountaintops (west of Route 8). In addition, point count observations were conducted at the 11 existing Searsburg wind turbines. Each point was surveyed on the survey day for 5 minutes during which all birds seen or heard were recorded. Playbacks of the Bicknell's Thrush song were made in an effort to locate that species. Also recorded were the distance and direction from the observer of each bird. Surveys were conducted on June 11, 12, 13, 17 and July 2, 3, and 4, 2003, on seven separate mornings. A total of 6 surveys of all the point count locations were made and 1 survey was made of existing turbines.