Wind farm developments present additional risks to birds from collisions with turbine blades, and the potential displacement and indirect loss of habitat if birds avoid the wind farm and its surrounding area.
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Scottish Planning Policy requires that the presence (or potential presence) of legally protected species, such as wild birds, is factored into the planning and design of development proposals.
The NatureScot agency advises that well-sited wind farms have limited effects on birds and extensive bird surveys should be carried out and factored into the design of a windfarm.
However, concern has been rising among conservationists over the impact that wind farms may have on protected species.
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Some 33 raptors, including ospreys, golden eagles and peregrine falcons, have been killed as a result of collisions with onshore wind turbines in Scotland since 2019.
The fate of Golden Eagles is of particular interest in the Borders which has played its part in the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project which aims to help rebuild the eagle population.
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The number of operating and proposed wind farms in the Borders has worried supporters of the project . The aim of SSGEP is to multiply eagle numbers in Southern Scotland but displaced birds cannot just find somewhere else to go in this region because they are running out of suitable habitat.