25 September 2026
Following award of the development consent for the Morecambe project’s Transmission Assets, as part of our ongoing environmental commitments, we will be carrying out regular wintering and migratory bird surveys at various locations within the onshore Transmission Assets boundary.
These surveys are an important part of our commitment to monitoring and protecting the local environment as the Morecambe project moves towards the beginning of construction.
The surveys will focus on the area where the onshore substation is planned to be located as well as other land parcels where infrastructure will be located.
Our specialist survey team will visit once a month from October 2026 for approximately six months, helping us build a clearer picture of which birds use the area and how their presence changes throughout the seasons. Subsequently, further bird surveys are planned in 2027, and further information will be provided closer to the time.
By visiting regularly we can develop a continued understanding of the local bird population, building on the existing survey data collected during our baseline surveys (between 2022 and 2024) and enhancing the dataset of how the area is used throughout the winter months. This information will be used to inform the project’s detailed environmental management plans and to finalise all mitigation measures in agreement with the relevant stakeholders.
What will the surveys involve?
These are non-intrusive surveys. Surveyors will observe and record birds from suitable locations accessed on foot, and the visits will cause minimal disruption to landowners, stakeholders and the local community.
The Morecambe project is also engaging with local landowners to discuss and agree on any access requirements ahead of the surveys. We’ll work closely with those affected to ensure visits are carefully planned and carried out respectfully, with as little disruption as possible.