The consequences of seabird habitat loss from offshore wind turbines: a research plan for five selected species

In order to develop the Dutch offshore wind agenda, as outlined in the ‘Energie-akkoord voor duurzame groei’ (2013), in an ecologically sound way, the KEC (‘Kader Ecologie en Cumulatie’) was compiled. This document gives an overview of species and populations where potential problems occur between fauna and the planned OWF (‘Offshore Wind Farm’) development, and highlights potential mitigating measures to prevent these problems. The research described in this plan follows directly from the KEC: it aims to do a further study of the top five seabird species deemed most at risk from the Dutch offshore wind farms through displacement and habitat loss. The project will not consider the effect of wind farms on seasonal, long-distance bird migration patterns.