Onshore Ecology

During the construction of the SGP, particularly during the earthworks, the project retained a team of ecological observers who surveyed the site before and during work to ensure that there were no impacts on the local otters and birds.

These observers include experts on otters in Scotland. Help was required in the spring of 2010, when a natal otter holt was found about 80m outside the site boundary. Natal holts are used by female otters and their young for the first ten to twelve weeks of the cubs life. Surveillance by the team showed that the holt was in use, and a 100m exclusion zone was established around it until the mother and her three young left.

Special road crossings have been included and marked on the access road to the terminal.

The area of the SGP site and its surroundings supports breeding populations of birds of European importance including Divers and Whimbrell. In addition to these there are also significant populations of other species including Oyster Catchers, Curlew, and Skylarks. All of these birds must be protected especially when they are nesting. During the breeding season members of the project environmental team survey the site on a daily basis, and where nests are identified, 30m exclusion zones are established to allow the birds to raise their young in peace.