Project name: Bird and Bat Research and Report for Environmental Impact Assessment Screening for Stražbenica location
Client: HEP Renewable Energy Sources
Period: 12/2011 – 03/2013
Location: Croatia
HEP Renewable Energy Sources Ltd. (HEP OIE) commissioned research of birds and bats for the site Stražbenica in Split-Dalmatia County where a combined wind power and solar power plant Stražbenica was planned. The studies were conducted in accordance with the “Guidelines for preparation of environmental impact studies for wind power plants” (Ministry of Environmental Protection, Physical Planning and Construction, and APO Ltd. 2010).
In the studied area, location Stražbenica, a one-year ornithological research was conducted during an entire one-year bird reproductive cycle: spring migration, nesting season, autumn migration and wintering. Also, a one-year reproductive cycle of bat populations was conducted which included field surveys on the location Stražbenica and the surrounding region (5 km buffer). Field techniques regarding bat research included surveys in underground sites during the day, as well as mist netting near water sites and echolocation recording using ultrasound detectors during the night.
Other activities included gathering of information on species composition, bird/bat activity, potential nesting sites, analysis of habitat types of the wider area, analysis of habitat types of the wider area, foraging areas and migration routes, habitat use, terrain morphology, spatial characteristics and other collected data. Assessment of likely (significant) impacts was conducted, and protection measures and monitoring program was proposed.
Services provided:
- Baseline study
- Landuse and landscape analysis
- Field investigations
- Bird and Bat Habitat analysis
- Migration route analysis
- Spatial characteristics
- Determination of qualitative and quantitative nesting structures
- Line transect survey
- Data collection and filing
- Monitoring program
- Project management
- Reporting
