Description
The shore-based observations were focussed on the area above the FLOWBEC platform.
Shore-based observational surveys were used to record the abundance and behaviour of black guillemots and European shags on the sea surface within the study area. A suitable vantage point was located on a hilltop overlooking the Billia Croo wave test site. Scans were only performed when the sea state was <Beaufort scale 3, and visibility was >1.5 km.
Surveys consisted of either 10 or 20 min scans; 88 scans of 10 min length and 37 scans of 20 min length were performed over a total of 27 hr. The number of scans performed per day averaged 9.54, and varied from 0 to 21. The differing scan lengths represented the use of two slightly different scanning strategies which were being tested.
During each scan, the abundance of foraging seabirds across the study area was recorded.
Frequency of Collection
Data Access Instructions
Contact Benjamin Williamson