Marine Bird Counts

In the context of environmental impact assessments for offshore wind farms we realize ornithological studies in the Baltic Sea and the North Sea. The Surveys of Resting and Migrating Birds are carried out as specified by the standard investigation concept for impacts of offshore wind turbines on the marine environment (StUK 4) of the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH). The detection of the distribution and abundance of resting birds, food and moulting guests at sea carried out by means of aircraft and ship transect counts according to the internationally standardized "Seabirds at Sea (SAS)" - method. Bird migration is detected by visual observations, collection of flight calls as well as radar surveys from ship or possibly of platforms. In one year of observation about 50 24-hour-day routines are analyzed. All avifaunistic researches are conducted exclusively by proven, experienced offshore ornithologists.