Description - A GIS based
model for predicting effects of development
on ranging of golden eagles.
 During the 1990’s data were collected in Scotland on
the ranging behaviour of resident golden eagles.
Analyses
of these data produced a model that predicts likely eagle
ranging behaviour based on location and use of nests, nearness
of neighbours, terrain, and land cover (McLeod et al 2003).
This ‘PAT’ (Predicting Aquila Territories) model
was explicitly developed to assess likely development impact
on range use by eagles (Whitfield et al 2001, McLeod et al
2003) and extended the ‘RIN’ (Research Information
Note) model of McGrady et al (1997). Though they are no substitute
for actual field data, these models have proven useful in
assessing likely impact of developments within eagle home
ranges, especially where high-quality local observational
data are not available. Guidance from Scottish Natural Heritage
on assessing effects of wind farms on birds recommends the
PAT as a useful supplementary tool in investigating potential
effects on resident eagles (SNH 2004).
 Working within a GIS environment with a minimum set of data, eagle range use can be predicted and the likely effects of development can be assessed relatively quickly. Variations in the size and location of developments can be examined in a near-interactive way to determine their relative likely impact. Similarly, the effects of habitat management and other mitigation can be explored, and additional eagle field work, if necessary, can be targeted. PAT model products allow the likely effects of developments on eagles to be explored early in the development stage, improving design iteration and cost efficiency.
Minimum data requirements
- Location of
territory centre for eagle range in question and
its neighbours.
- Digital elevation data for the area.
- Land cover data
- Map of development
PAT model uses location of territorial eagles, terrain features and habitat information to predict areas likely to be important for territorial eagles. It can be used to assess the likely impact of development, including windfarms, hydro-electric schemes and new forestry on range holding eagles.
Literature cited
McGrady, M. J., McLeod, D. M., S.M Petty, J. R. Grant,
I. P. Bainbridge. 1997. Eagles and forestry.
Forestry Commission Research Information Note. No.
292. HMSO.
London.
McLeod, D. R. A., Whitfield, D. P., McGrady,
M. J. 2003. Improving prediction of golden eagle
(Aquila
chrysaetos)
ranging in western Scotland using GIS and terrain
modelling. J. Raptor Research 36(1 Supplement):
70-77.
McLeod, D. R. A., Whitfield, D. P., Fielding,
A. H., Haworth, P., McGrady, M. J. 2003. Predicting home
range use by golden eagles Aquila chrysaetos
in western Scotland.
Avian Science 2: 183-198.
SNH 2004. Survey methods to assess the impacts
of proposed onshore wind farms on bird communities,
SNH Guidance
Note, SNH, Edinburgh.
Whitfield, D. P., Band, B., McLeod, D. R. A.,
Fielding, A. H. 2001. Predicting the effect of
wind farms on
golden eagles in Scotland. Abstracts of 4th Eurasian
Congress
on Raptors, Seville, Spain. 25-29 September 2001.
Photos copyright M. McGrady
Contact information
Stephanie Provan
Natural Research Ltd, Banchory Business Centre,
Burn O’Bennie Road, Banchory, Kincardineshire,
AB31 5ZU.
T: +44 (0)1330 826 536, F: +44 (0)1330 820 670,
E-mail: stephanie.provan@natural-research.org
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