Understanding risks to non-breeding seabirds from offshore wind farms

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BackgroundFaced with the current energy crisis and Net Zero targets, the UK and Scottish governments are committed to rapid developments of large-scale offshore windfarms (OWF). However, OWF deployment at the necessary scales and pace to meet targets is hindered by inadequate understanding of their impact on protected seabird populations. ObjectivesThe foraging behaviour and potential interaction with OWFs of common guillemots and razorbills (auks) are relatively well-studied during the breeding season. However, we know far less about their post-breeding behaviour, particularly during the moult and early winter periods. Yet these are periods of both high natural vulnerability and potential interactions with OWFs. This critical knowledge gap limits our understanding of the potential impact of OWF development, with consequences for the consenting process.By working directly with stakeholders this project seeks to fill these gaps to directly inform planning and licensing of OWF via these objectives:1. Use stable isotope signatures of feathers and prey fish species to explore composition and variation in diet of auks during early winter. 2. Develop our understanding of foraging strategies and tactics used by auks during early winter from tracking. 3. Evaluate the impacts of displacement by OWFs on auks via development and application of an individual-based model. NoveltyBy combining diverse approaches this project will provide unique insights into this rarely-studied yet critical phase of the annual cycle. Working in the lab, field, analysis and in policy development, the student will build a rounded skills portfolio. TimelinessIn response to global energy security concerns, timelines for OWF expansion have been dramatically accelerated. With Scottish Government as a CASE partner, this project's outputs will be rapidly assimilated into decision making. Upon completion the student will be immediately employable in high-skill roles in the expanding UK OWF sector where there is a notable personnel shortage.