Protecting upland wildlife: mitigation and monitoring efforts at Ray wind farm
Ray wind farm in England encompasses diverse upland habitats, including coniferous woodland, blanket bog, wet and dry heath, acid grassland, and waterways.
Short facts
- Ray wind farm, United Kingdom
- Mammals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates
- Biodiversity mitigation during construction and operation
- 2015–ongoing
During construction, effective mitigation measures were implemented to support a wide range of wildlife, including several rare and protected species.
The site hosts species such as red squirrels, badgers, otters, bats, reptiles, white-clawed crayfish, and several owl and raptor species, such as barn owls, merlins, and goshawks. Protecting these species from construction impact was crucial, and the habitat management plan was a key component of the wind farm’s permit.
Following construction, operational monitoring and mitigation has been undertaken to maintain and enhance the site’s ecological sensitivities.
This includes managing moorland habitats, conducting dedicated breeding bird surveys, protecting sensitive nest sites and implementing targeted monitoring and mitigation for bat populations.
More about biodiversity
Biodiversity and nature protection are a priority at Vattenfall. It is one of the focus areas in our environmental policy and therefore also a central part in our environmental work.
See also
Flower-rich grassland initiative at Princess Ariane wind farm
Vattenfall’s Princess Ariane wind farm (Wieringermeer) is located in an agricultural region in the Netherlands.
Restoring peatlands: forest to bog transformation in the UK
At two sites in the UK, Vattenfall has been converting land previously under commercial conifer plantations into open peatland habitats.
Sustainable food production at Scandinavia’s largest offshore wind farm
At Kriegers Flak, researchers test combining offshore wind with sustainable food production.