6.3.9 Greater White-fronted Goose ( Anser albifrons)

Greater white-fronted goose is a qualifying interest feature of the Allah Bair – Capidava SPA, with a population over winter of 300-400 individuals. No greater white-fronted geese were recorded during the wintering 2008/2009 surveys of the wider area around Crucea North.

The closely related Greenland race for the greater white-fronted goose have a relatively limited foraging range from roost sites of 5-8km 15. The closest roost sites are along the Danube along the western edge of the Allah Bair-Capidava SPA, which is over 12km from Crucea North Wind Farm site. Sensitivity mapping does not indicate any feeding areas in proximity to the wind farm.

As a result it is very unlikely that wintering geese from the SPA will forage across the Crucea North Wind Farm site. Therefore there is not predicted to be any effect on site integrity as a result of collision mortality, disturbance during construction and operation, habitat loss or barrier effect.