30 July 2009

Bird population feels affect of wind farms

America’s rapidly growing wind energy industry continues to produce much-needed alternative energy, but on the other end, the impact on the environment the question remains: What about the birds?

Thirty top wildlife scientists may have an answer that could provide safe passage for birds and bats.

This coalition of scientists from industry, government, nongovernmental organizations, and universities met in Racine, Wisc., to address unanswered questions about how continued wind energy development will affect migrating birds and bats.

“Billions of birds migrate annually, taking advantage of the same wind currents that are most beneficial for producing wind energy,” said Andrew Farnsworth, a postdoctoral research associate at the Cornell University Lab of Ornithology who serves on the steering committee of the coalition. “We know that in some locations a small percentage of wind turbines may cause the majority of bird and bat deaths. As wind power develops further, we need to know more about how placement, design, and operation impact birds and bats as well as how habitat and weather conditions affect potential hazards,” he said.

The scientists addressed some of the critical information using cutting-edge tools as weather surveillance radar, thermal imaging, and microphones directed skyward to map migrations by day and night. New research will build upon monitoring birds and bats before and after construction of existing wind energy facilities.

“Conducting this research will help the wind industry make informed, science-based decisions about where future wind energy projects can be built and how they can be operated to minimize the impact on migrating wildlife, while still providing much-needed alternative energy,” said John Fitzpatrick, director of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. “It will also help flesh out specific guidelines for wind farm construction being developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.”

The coalition identified research priorities as:

• Studying bird and bat behaviors, and more accurately estimating mortality at existing wind turbines
• Using current and newly obtained information on bird and bat population numbers and distribution to focus research on critically important migratory routes and timing
• Documenting how interactions of birds and bats with turbines feel the affect of such factors as weather, topography, and their distribution within airspace swept by wind turbine blades
• Establishing standardized methods for pre- and post-construction studies for assessing bird and bat behavior at wind facilities
• Conducting research on best practices for mitigating the impacts of wind energy development on birds and bats

For related information, go to www.isa.org/environment.