Provision of Lidar-coupled digital aerial surveys to quantify flight heights of seabirds in UK waters

The Authority is looking to appoint suppliers to provide Lidar (Light detection and ranging) - coupled Digital Aerial Surveys to deliver data relating to the altitude and identification of flying seabirds or proxy targets. The Authority requires the implementation of a framework contract to provide a series of mini-competitions, or lots, to plan and collect new data. Lot 1 will involve the collection of data to inform the validation of Lidar-based methods for quantifying seabird flight heights, standards and best practice. Lot 1 may include elements of terrestrial and marine surveys in UK waters. Lot 2 would involve a large-scale marine data collection campaign in UK waters to address seabird flight height knowledge gaps identified through separate work.

Natural England is the lead organisation for the ReSCUE project. ReSCUE (Reducing Seabird Collisions Using Evidence) is a multi-partner, multi-year initiative funded by the Crown Estate through the Offshore Wind Evidence & Change (OWEC) Programme.

The ultimate aims of ReSCUE are to develop our understanding of seabird flight heights, to improve collision risk assessments, and to inform effective mitigation measures that reduce seabird collisions with offshore wind turbines. We will achieve this by (a) providing confidence in methods of seabird flight height estimation, especially combined camera-Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) surveys; (b) assembling existing, and collecting new, fit-for-purpose evidence on seabird flight heights, and (c) creating publicly available datasets and tools, and carrying out analyses that will inform guidance and recommendations for impact assessments and mitigation. This framework contract relates to evidence collection informing the above aims (a) and (b).

The wider ReSCUE project is structured into SIX work packages (WPs) which are shown in Appendix G of this ITT document to provide context. However, this framework only relates to a requirement to develop and validate methods for seabird flight height estimation within WP1, and the collection of new data in WP2. For WP1, framework providers will be required to undertake combined camera-Lidar surveys to validate estimate of flight heights and to investigate potential sources of bias and/or methodological limitations. In WP2, the lessons learnt from WP1 will be employed to collect data to address knowledge gaps in relation to seabird flight heights.

It is important to note that the objectives of work packages 1 and 2 relating to this framework will be dependent on the outcomes of initial work reviewing available data and information. Expert Panel workshops, involving representatives from other SNCBs, NGOs, developers, consultancies, academia and other stakeholders, will consider the information and determine more detailed specifications for individual Lots under this framework.