Below is a list of the new projects that are being taken forward by the different Working Groups. These projects have been identified and agreed as being high priority areas of research by the Working Groups and will be completed over the next two years. 

Aerial bird surveys 

Aerial bird surveys will be carried out on potential Round 3 areas following the release of the sites map from The Crown Estate and the SEA. Contractors will be pre-selected to carry out this work next year. A review of the bird survey methdologies is being carried out by the BTO to include new technologies such as the HiDef technique. 

Life Around Turbines 

Marlin and the Marine Biological Association will be producing education materials and online resources for students and teachers on the life around offshore turbines. A schools workshop will also be organised for next year and interactive resources made available on line. 

Marine Mammals workshop 

A workshop is expected to be organised and held in December to discuss future projects in this area. Experts in the field will be invited to attend and participate at the workshop. One of the outputs will be a specification for an acoustic deterrents project to be carried out next year.  

Effects of noise on fish  

This project will look at the effect of pile driving noise on the behaviour of marine fish. The contract has been awarded for this project. 

Remote techniques  

Development of revised best practice guidance and technical specifications for the use of remote techniques for observing bird behaviour in relation to offshore windfarms. The project should provide an updated review of radar monitoring undertaken at UK and European sites and look at what has been done, what can be done, what are the limitations and what information can be technically delivered.