Abstract
The Fundy Ocean Research Center for Energy (FORCE) developed and operates a tidal energy demonstration site and support facility along the north shore of Minas Passage near Parrsboro in Nova Scotia’s Bay of Fundy. As a condition of operating approvals, FORCE has been required to carry out an environmental effects monitoring program (EEMP) which includes surveys of seabirds and other water‐ associated birds. The surveys provide information on occurrence, seasonality and local distribution of seabirds to allow testing of environmental assessment predictions that seabirds will not be impacted by tidal energy devices and associated activities. FORCE conducted baseline surveys from 2009 to 2012 and undertook a program of annual EEMP surveys beginning in May 2016—proposed to continue annually to 2021. This report covers the second year (May 17, 2017 to May 10, 2018). A grid‐connected instream tidal turbine was installed in November 2016 during the first year and removed in June 2017 early in the second year of the monitoring program.
Monthly to semi‐monthly shore‐based surveys documented the occurrence, relative abundance, local distribution, and annual pattern of composition and abundance of seabirds and water‐associated birds (including gulls, alcids, loons, cormorants, ducks, sea ducks and other waterfowl and shorebirds), in coastal waters of Minas Passage at the FORCE site. The study area included the zone designated for deployment of tidal energy devices (the ‘Crown Lease’ area) and adjacent waters both inshore and offshore and on Black Rock, an island at the site. Thirty‐six (36) species of water‐associated birds and shorebirds, and two marine mammal species (Harbour Porpoise and Harbour Seal) were observed during the year. The most common and abundant species included Great Black‐backed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Eider, Black Scoter and Ring‐billed Gull. Other species occurring commonly or in moderate abundance included Common Loon, Red‐throated Loon, Pacific Loon, American Black Duck, Surf Scoter, Lesser Black‐Backed Gull, Black Guillemot, Double‐crested Cormorant and Great Cormorant. Least common species included shorebirds (Black‐bellied Plover, Least Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, Semipalmated Plover, Spotted Sandpiper), Horned Grebe, Black‐legged Kittiwake, Common Goldeneye, Canada Goose, Harlequin Duck, Long‐tailed Duck, King Eider, Red‐breasted Merganser and Common Murre, which were each observed on single surveys. Black Guillemot and Great Black‐backed Gull were nesting on Black Rock during the year.
Seabird abundance showed seasonal peaks corresponding to migratory movements (March‐April and October‐December); a late‐spring‐to‐early‐summer occupation by local resident breeders Great Black‐ backed Gull, Black Guillemot and Common Eider; and a low summer abundance when migrants are not present. Number of species observed per survey ranged from five to 16. Fewer species visited the site overall than in the baseline surveys in 2010‐2012 (36 species versus 45). Common and abundant species were the same as in the earliest surveys, but Northern Gannet was nearly absent in both Year‐1 and Year‐2. Abundance and peak abundance was similar to earlier surveys.
Birds showed moderate and generally equal utilization of survey subareas including the ‘Crown Lease’ and areas to the east around Black Rock. Black Rock was a focal point for bird activity, with birds typically occupying it for varying periods, for nesting (e.g. Black Guillemot), or as a base for local feeding. During migration, however, birds moving through the area over water dominated numbers using Black Rock. Because of the short deployment of the tidal turbine, there was limited opportunity to conduct analyses to determine potential effects. Statistical comparisons of overall abundance, abundance of birds on Black Rock and in over water areas separately, however showed no evidence for either a positive or negative effect of the turbines on bird abundance.