This application, affecting the southern slopes of Strath Brora from Balnacoil in the east to Knockarthur in the west, and south to the ridge dividing the Strath from Dunrobin Glen, has now been formally lodged with the Highland Council. It is initially for 24 turbines, 115 metres high, although there is nothing to stop the Developers (RDC) seeking to erect more at a later stage. The wide spacing of the turbines (involving over ten miles of new hill roads) suggests this may be in their minds.

The ornithological section of the Environmental Statement is based entirely on observations made during visits to the site between April and August. It deals only with breeding birds. Unlike many upland areas in the Highlands, the diversity of habitat in Strath Brora and its proximity to the coast make it attractive to birds at all seasons. The Kilbraur section, in particular, provides an ideal winter hunting range for birds of prey, from the largest (Golden Eagle) to the smallest (Merlin). On one day in January 1992 I saw nine different species of bird of prey. These included Golden Eagle, a Red Kite from the successful Black Isle reintroduction scheme, Hen Harrier, Peregrine Falcon and a local rarity, Goshawk. This is probably a British one-day record, as I can't think of another locality where so many species would be present in such a small area in mid-winter. Continental and American studies have shown that all birds of prey are vulnerable to collision with turbine blades which, at their tips, are moving at up to 200 mph.

The Environmental Statement pays particular attention to only two species on this site: Hen Harrier and Red-throated Diver. The surveyors completely missed the site's most important breeding bird - Greenshank. This is a fully protected species listed in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act. About 40% of the small British population nests in Sutherland. Two or three pairs have nested within the proposed site boundary in each of the last twelve years, including the 2003 breeding season. Greenshanks are unfortunately very sensitive to disturbance.

The Statement also minimises the importance of the Golden Plovers on the site. This species, which is listed in the EC Birds Directive as qualifying for special protection, has declined drastically in Caithness and Sutherland as a result of afforestation. The population data quoted in the Statement was based on studies carried out in the early 1980s (published in 1987) and is now well out of date. The results of a 1996 post-afforestation study revealing the full extent of the recent decline is totally ignored.

The Statement inexplicably concludes there would be no impact on Golden Eagle, stating the nearest pair is over 15 km away, at Ben Armine. In 2003 a pair nested successfully only 9 km from the site's north-eastern boundary and another pair were on territory even closer to the southern boundary. As the surveyors should know, the well-being of the small local population is dependent not just on the safeguard of breeding territories but on the maintenance of open hunting ranges for immature birds driven out of their natal area by the adults. These may travel quite large distances in
search of unoccupied territories. Up to four immature Golden Eagles range the East Sutherland hills in winter and the Kilbraur site, particularly the southern ridge, has been used in almost every winter in the last decade.
The Statement also claims that Strath Brora is not a migration flyway. How such a conclusion could be reached without monitoring the situation throughout the spring and autumn is beyond me. Even a desk study would have revealed that the Strath is used by large numbers of geese, and small flocks of Whooper Swans, on their way to Icelandic breeding grounds in spring. They do not follow the line of the river, but cut right across the northern section of the proposed site. In my book on the birds of Sutherland I mapped all the major bird migration routes in the County. Strath Brora is clearly marked as the south eastern extension of the Strathnaver route to and from the north coast.

The proposed site is also an important archeological landscape, with evidence of its occupation from the Bronze Age through to the Clearances. There are few such sites in the Highlands where the features have not been obscured by more recent agriculture, forestry or development.

If you wish to object to the proposed development, using any of the above material, please write as soon as possible to:

John Rennilson
Director of Planning & Development
Highland Council
Glenurquhart Road
Inverness IV3 5NX