Supporting bird conservation at sea: Spoor’s technology in action at Utsira

As more wind farm developers prioritise biodiversity, monitoring bird activity has become essential to understanding potential impacts on local ecosystems. Early insights enable developers to formulate effective mitigation strategies well before construction begins.

Spoor’s technology provides highly accurate, site-specific data on bird activity, helping measure potential impacts on birdlife. Commissioned by Deep Wind Offshore to monitor avian activity around Utsira, Spoor’s software enabled precise detection, tracking, and classification of birds, offering a comprehensive view of biodiversity in the area.

The challenge

Utsira, a crucial migratory hotspot, supports diverse avian life with nearby nature reserves that enhance its ecological value. Developers seeking to establish offshore wind farms at Utsira North must carefully consider the region’s birdlife throughout the construction, operation, and decommissioning phases. Recognising this priority, Deep Wind Offshore engaged Spoor to monitor the bird population at Utsira to better understand the potential impacts on regional biodiversity.

The solution

Offshore bird monitoring poses challenges due to environmental factors, but with the right resources and strategy, effective tracking is achievable. Establishing a baseline of bird activity at Utsira was essential to guide future conservation measures.

After assessing the project’s requirements and environment, Spoor proposed a monitoring plan that involved installing a camera on the Utsira lighthouse. This flexible system allowed the camera to be mounted without significant structural modifications, ensuring efficient setup and operation. Over the next two years, the camera monitored and documented bird activity, gathering extensive data for analysis.

Spoor’s AI software processed the data, producing reports that analysed factors like flight height, species distribution, and other key metrics to support comprehensive biodiversity assessments.

The results

Spoor’s reports provided Deep Wind Offshore with a valuable benchmark of birdlife at Utsira, delivering insights into bird counts, seasonal activity variations, and environmental correlations essential for conservation planning.

Observation statistics

The reports captured peak bird activity periods, particularly during daylight hours with optimal visibility. Observations highlighted how factors such as wind speed, time of day and visibility influenced bird behaviour around the site.

Species recognition

The reports detailed various bird species observed at Utsira, including red-listed species. Species such as gulls, passerines, eagles, hawks, and falcons were documented, creating a foundational record to guide future conservation initiatives.

Would you like to know more?

For a detailed exploration of every aspect of the monitoring process, download our full report, complete with metrics, insights, and in-depth analyses.