North Sea Energy Island:Environmental pre-investigations for birds

From 2021 to 2023, comprehensive ornithological surveys were conducted for the North Sea Energy Island site in the northern central Danish North Sea to establish baseline data for future offshore wind farm assessments. Twelve aerial and eleven ship-based surveys documented bird abundance, distribution, and flight behaviour across the 4,814 km² study area. Offshore species such as northern fulmar, northern gannet, black-legged kittiwake, and razorbill/common guillemot dominated the avifauna, with persistence maps identifying areas of high importance. Flight observations showed most auks, terns, and skuas flying low over the sea surface, while gulls and waders occurred at higher altitudes. Seasonal variation in species composition was notable, particularly among auks. Overall, the study provides the first comprehensive characterisation of the offshore bird community in the Energy Island area, forming a robust ecological baseline for future environmental impact assessments and spatial planning.