Final Ornithological and Chiropterological Report
Final Ornithological Report
During three years of ornithological monitoring at the Grajewo Wind Farm (2022–2024), a total of 132 bird species were identified within the site and its buffer zone. Between 56 and 67 species nested here annually. Species richness and the abundance of breeding avifauna showed little variation between years, with the highest number of breeding species recorded in the final year of monitoring. This indicates that the operation of the Grajewo Wind Farm has no impact on the breeding avifauna of the area.
Birds utilized the airspace with average intensity (177–282 individuals per hour of observation across different years). This suggests low inter-annual variability and appears typical for an agricultural landscape with few tree stands, located away from key migration corridors or major stopover sites. Counts during migration and post-breeding dispersal periods confirmed the absence of bird concentrations within the wind farm area or its immediate vicinity.
Species from the "collision-prone group" flew almost exclusively at non-collision altitudes. Large-bodied birds, such as geese and cranes, did not exhibit avoidance behaviour, as they flew at very high altitudes.
The results allow for the conclusion that the Grajewo Wind Farm has an insignificant impact on breeding, migrating, and wintering bird populations. Therefore, no mitigation measures are required.
Final Chiropterological Report
During the three-year monitoring period (2022–2024), at least 6 out of 16 potentially occurring bat species were recorded at the Grajewo Wind Farm and its surroundings. In each year, bats utilized the farm area in small numbers, rarely appearing near the turbines. This is typical for agricultural landscapes with limited tree cover, situated far from key habitats such as breeding sites, foraging grounds, or migration corridors.
Detector surveys and thermal imaging clearly indicate that bat activity is concentrated outside the wind farm area, specifically near larger tree clusters, forest edges, and rural settlements. The lack of negative impact and the bats' tendency to avoid open agricultural landscapes resulted in minimal mortality.
The results indicate an insignificant impact on local breeding and migrating bat populations. Consequently, there is no need to implement any mitigation or impact-reduction measures.
