The Neart na Gaoithe (NnG) offshore wind farm in Scotland is embarking on the country’s largest seabird monitoring study to collect detailed data on bird behavior around offshore wind turbines.
The 450 MW wind farm, situated approximately 15.5 kilometers off the Fife coast in the Outer Firth of Forth, achieved full operational status in 2025.
The study will be conducted over two breeding seasons starting in March, utilizing radar systems, high-resolution cameras, and collision detection technology installed on-site to observe seabird flight paths, behaviors, and potential turbine interactions.
Environmental consultancy STRIX has been commissioned to manage the monitoring and data analysis following the 2025 installation and testing at the offshore site.
This phase of seabird monitoring extends seven years of research at NnG, as part of the project’s Environmental Monitoring Programme (PEMP) mandated by Scottish Ministers. The monitoring integrates two sophisticated systems: Birdtrack-Radar3D, which combines radars and cameras for long to medium-range bird tracking, and six Collision Detection Systems using multiple cameras and infrared illuminators around turbine towers to detect and record bird activity.
This initiative is part of a collaboration with two other offshore wind farms in the Forth and Tay region, Seagreen 1 and Berwick Bank.
“We are delivering environmental monitoring on a scale not previously seen in UK offshore wind. This programme, a collaboration with various partners, will provide a clearer understanding of seabird behavior around operational turbines and support the design of future projects with robust evidence,” said Polly Tarrant, Environment Manager at NnG.
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