基于红外相机技术对广东鼎湖山及其周边林地的鸟兽调查

本研究采用公里网格抽样方案, 在广东鼎湖山国家级自然保护区及其周边林地(烂柯山省级自然保护区和小湘林区)选取3个监测样地, 共设置60个红外相机监测位点, 对区域内大中型兽类和地面活动鸟类开展物种编目清查与评估。2017年1月至2018年12月, 红外相机累计工作34,212个相机日, 共获得独立有效照片11,725份。共记录到75种野生动物, 隶属于13目32科63属, 包括兽类12种、鸟类63种, 其中国家一级重点保护动物有1种, 即中华穿山甲(Manis pentadactyla), 国家二级重点保护动物有9种。兽类中相对多度指数排前三的依次为野猪(Sus scrofa)、鼬獾(Melogale moschata)和赤麂(Muntiacus vaginalis); 鸟类依次为白鹇(Lophura nycthemera)、橙头地鸫(Geokichla citrina)和紫啸鸫(Myophonus caeruleus)。三个监测样地的相对多度指数排前三的物种基本一致, 其中鼎湖山的白鹇相对多度指数最高; 小湘的豹猫(Prionailurus bengalensis)相对多度指数位列第三, 仅次于野猪和鼬獾; 烂柯山相对多度指数排前三的鸟类则依次为画眉(Garrulax canorus)、灰胸竹鸡(Bambusicola thoracicus)和红嘴相思鸟(Leiothrix lutea)。本研究为广东鼎湖山及其周边林地生物多样性监测与评估提供了数据参考。     

甘肃黑河内陆河湿地自然保护区候鸟多样性

甘肃黑河为我国第二大内陆河,位于其中游的黑河湿地自然保护区为内陆河流湿地生态系统自然保护区。2008年分季节采用样线法和样点法调查该保护区湿地、农田村庄、人工林和荒漠4种生境的鸟类种类和数量。调查共记录保护区分布的鸟类17目35科116种,其中夏候鸟73种(占鸟类种类的62.93%),迁徙过路鸟20种(占17.24%),留鸟17种(占14.66%),冬候鸟6种(占5.17%)。其中,属于《湿地公约》的水禽56种。在湿地生境共记录鸟类70种,占保护区鸟类种数的60.34%,其中繁殖期在湿地生境栖息的鸟类有50种,绝大部分为夏候鸟(47种),留鸟只有3种;迁徙季节分布有44种鸟类,其中迁徙过路鸟(只在迁徙季节见到)有17种,占迁徙季节鸟类种类数的38.64%。村庄农田、人工林以及荒漠生境中,繁殖期和迁飞期共记录鸟类57种,夏候鸟有33种,留鸟有17种,迁徙过路鸟只有3种。甘肃张掖黑河湿地保护区是众多水禽在我国西北地区的重要繁殖地和迁徙停歇地,是我国候鸟迁徙西部路线上的关键区域。     

贵州坡岗喀斯特森林自然保护区红外相机兽类和鸟类监测及活动节律分析

本研究于2017—2020年利用红外相机对贵州兴义坡岗喀斯特森林自然保护区的兽类和鸟类进行了连续4年的监测,分析了保护区内兽类和鸟类物种组成多样性及主要地栖性物种的活动节律。本次调查共记录到兽类和鸟类物种数共72种,其中兽类13种,隶属于4目7科;鸟类59种,隶属于6目18科。国家一级重点保护野生动物有黑颈长尾雉(Syrmaticus humiae)和小灵猫(Viverricula indica);国家二级重点保护野生动物有白鹇(Lophura nycthemera)、白腹锦鸡(Chrysolophus amherstiae)、红嘴相思鸟(Leiothrix lutea)、猕猴(Macaca mulatta)、斑林狸(Prionodon pardicolor)、豹猫(Prionailurus bengalensis)等13种。Shannon-Wiener多样性指数最高的区域为保护区的核心区(H=2.76)。活动节律分析表明,白腹锦鸡为昼行性动物,花面狸(Paguma larvata)、鼬獾(Melogale moschata)等为典型的夜行性动物。白腹锦鸡和鼬獾日活动节律呈双峰趋势,花面狸和豹猫呈单峰型。本次监测结果可为进一步加强喀斯特森林鸟兽物种保护管理和生态学研究提供基础。     

海南尖峰岭国家级自然保护区森林动态监测样地鸟类和兽类多样性

2016年8月至2019年2月, 我们利用红外相机对海南尖峰岭60 ha森林动态监测样地的鸟类和兽类进行了调查。共在79个位点上布设了红外相机, 累积27,848个相机日, 获得可鉴定到物种的独立有效照片15,320张。经鉴定, 共拍摄到46种野生动物, 包括16种兽类(隶属于6目11科)和30种鸟类(隶属于8目16科)。其中, 属于国家I级重点保护的野生动物有3种, 即海南孔雀雉(Polyplectron katsumatae)、海南山鹧鸪(Arborophila ardens)和中华穿山甲(Manis pentadactyla), 属于国家II级重点保护的野生动物有6种, 分别是猕猴(Macaca mulatta)、巨松鼠(Ratufa bicolor)、红原鸡(Gallus gallus)、白鹇(Lophura nycthemera)、松雀鹰(Accipiter virgatus)和蓝背八色鸫(Pitta soror)。拍摄率最高的前5种兽类依次是帚尾豪猪(Atherurus macrourus)、红腿长吻松鼠(Dremomys pyrrhomerus)、白腹巨鼠(Leopoldamys edwardsi)、赤腹松鼠(Callosciurus erythraeus)和赤麂(Muntiacus vaginalis);前5种鸟类依次是白鹇、海南孔雀雉、蓝背八色鸫、海南山鹧鸪和栗颊噪鹛(Garrulax castanotis)。本研究补充调查了海南尖峰岭国家级自然保护区兽类和鸟类的多样性, 与之前的基线调查对比分析了大样地内野生动物物种及其相对多度的动态变化, 可为保护区生物多样性监测方案设计和保护对策的制定提供科学依据。     

利用红外相机技术对安徽省鹞落坪国家级自然保护区大中型兽类及林下鸟类的调查

鹞落坪国家级自然保护区位于大别山脉南麓的核心地带。2014-2017年, 作者采用红外相机技术对鹞落坪国家级自然保护区的大中型兽类及林下鸟类进行调查。研究共布设了72个相机位点, 累计完成16,658个相机工作日, 获得独立有效照片2,142张, 共记录野生兽类9种、鸟类15种, 隶属8目15科。包括国家一级重点保护野生动物1种, 即安徽麝(Moschus anhuiensis), 国家二级重点保护野生动物2种, 分别是勺鸡(Pucrasia macrolopha)和白冠长尾雉(Syrmaticus reevesii)。相对多度排名前五的兽类分别为小麂(Muntiacus reevesi)、野猪(Sus scrofa)、赤腹松鼠(Callosciurus erythraeus)、猪獾(Arctonyx collaris)和岩松鼠(Sciurotamias davidianus)。相对多度排名前五的鸟类为白冠长尾雉、勺鸡、松鸦(Garrulus glandarius)、灰背鸫(Turdus hortulorum)、红嘴蓝鹊(Urocissa erythroryncha)。此外红外相机还拍摄到大量人类活动照片, 表明当地人类活动较为严重, 应加强管理。本研究初步了解了保护区内大中型兽类和林下鸟类群落信息及人类活动的干扰情况, 为保护区未来的保护和管理工作提供了数据基础。     

基于功能和谱系视角分析繁殖留鸟对风机的响应

风电作为清洁可再生绿色能源越来越受到世界各国的重视,其建设规模也在不断扩大,导致风电建设与鸟类保护的矛盾进一步凸显,如何协调风电发展与物种保护已成为生态学家和保护生物学家关注的热点主题。为了探究风机对鸟类物种、功能和谱系的影响,本研究于2019年1、3、4、5月,采用样线法对连山风电场的鸟类多样性进行了4次调查。根据样线离风机距离的远近设置4个梯度: 100～300 m有6条样线,300～500 m 有13条样线,500～700 m 有8条样线,>700 m 有5条样线。结果表明: 本次调查中记录了繁殖留鸟76种,隶属于11目31科,目、科中数量最多是雀形目(53种)和画眉科(12种)。鸟类物种丰富度、功能丰富度(FRic)和谱系多样性(Faith PD)随着离风机距离的增加呈增加趋势: 在500 m以内未显著增加,500 m外呈显著增加趋势;鸟类群落水平的扩散能力呈现出增加趋势。鸟类群落的平均成对功能和谱系距离的标准化效应值(SES.MFD和SES.MPD)均小于0,其中显著低于随机值的样线占比约为50%(P<0.05)。风力发电机对鸟类物种、功能和谱系的影响主要在前500 m的距离;本研究的4个梯度中,鸟类群落的功能和谱系结构均表现为聚集特征。研究证实,风机对鸟类的影响是多维度的,在评估风机对鸟类群落的影响时仅考虑物种多样性可能难以提供全面的信息。     

甘肃安西极旱荒漠国家级自然保护区鸟类群落结构的季节性变化

安西极旱荒漠国家级自然保护区位于甘肃河西走廊,为了解该保护区鸟类群落结构的季节性变化及其原因,于2002～2004年按季节采用样线法调查了保护区鸟类的种类和数量,共见到鸟类103种.秋季种类最多,达69种;冬季最少,仅29种.夏季和春季的相似性指数最高,为0.46;夏季和冬季的最低,为0.31.秋季的鸟类数量最高,为37.60只/km;春季最少,9.64只/km.夏季群落多样性最高,冬季最低.冬季优势度最高,夏季最低.四季的优势种各不相同,优势种的数量影响各季节鸟类数量.影响安西自然保护区鸟类群落结构季节性变化的主要因素是鸟类迁徙和人类活动.     

钱江源国家公园体制试点区鸟类多样性与区系组成

生物多样性编目是自然保护地有效管理与政策制定的基础。本研究收集整理了钱江源国家公园体制试点区(简称钱江源国家公园)内的鸟类记录, 数据来源包括专项鸟类调查、红外相机调查、自动录音调查、公众科学活动4大类。共记录到分属17目64科的252种鸟类。其中, 国家I级重点保护鸟类2种, 为白颈长尾雉(Syrmaticus ellioti)和白鹤(Grus leucogeranus), 国家II级重点保护鸟类34种; 在IUCN物种红色名录和中国脊椎动物红色名录中被评估为受威胁(即极危、濒危、易危和近危)的分别有10种和34种: 共计有46种鸟类为需受重点关注的物种, 占总物种数的18.25%。记录到4种浙江省鸟类新记录, 分别为黄嘴角鸮(Otus spilocephalus)、方尾鹟(Culicicapa ceylonensis)、远东苇莺(Acrocephalus tangorum)和蓝短翅鸫(Brachypteryx montana)。钱江源国家公园内鸟类组成兼具古北界和东洋界成分, 东洋种(45.24%)占比略高于古北种(42.46%); 留鸟和迁徙性鸟类的物种数近似; 繁殖鸟类中以东洋种为主(68.79%), 冬候鸟中则以古北种占绝对优势(94.83%)。本研究结果表明, 钱江源国家公园虽然面积有限(252 km ²), 但记录鸟种数占浙江全省的52%, 在鸟类多样性保护中有重要价值; 同时本研究的结果将为该国家公园管理以及未来的鸟类监测和研究提供基础本底。     

湖北五峰后河国家级自然保护区鸟类多样性

为了解湖北五峰后河国家级自然保护区(以下简称后河保护区)鸟类物种多样性及其区系组成的变化, 我们通过样线、红外相机调查和检索文献资料相结合的方法获得了后河保护区鸟类名录, 并将其与后河保护区1999年科学考察结果进行对比分析。本研究于2017-2019年共在后河保护区内设置了82 km的鸟类调查样线, 共在309个位点上放置了红外相机, 累计99,586个相机日。我们用“后河” “鸟类” “湖北省”等关键词搜索相关出版物, 并查阅中国观鸟记录中心经审核后发布的鸟类信息, 结合样线和红外相机调查结果形成后河保护区鸟类名录。共整理得到后河保护区鸟类255种, 隶属于16目55科。其中, 国家I级重点保护野生鸟类2种, 包括中华秋沙鸭(Mergus squamatus)和金雕(Aquila chrysaetos); 国家II级重点保护野生鸟类46种, 包括红腹角雉(Tragopan temminckii)、棉凫(Nettapus coromandelianus)、松雀鹰(Accipiter virgatus)、灰林鸮(Strix aluco)、蓝鹀(Emberiza siemsseni)等。此外, 后河保护区有11种中国特有鸟类, 占我国特有鸟类种数(n = 93)的11.83%。在区系成分上, 后河保护区鸟类以东洋种为主(151种, 占59.22%), 其次为广布种(55种, 占21.57%)。与1999年科学考察结果相比, 鸟类增加了116种, 其中有15种国家重点保护野生鸟类。在区系组成上, 后河保护区内东洋种占比增加, 包括分布区向北扩散的物种成分。此外, 本次调查未记录到20世纪在保护区内有分布的白冠长尾雉(Syrmaticus reevesii)和海南鳽(Gorsachius magnificus)。本研究表明, 后河保护区鸟类物种多样性高、特有种及珍稀濒危物种丰富, 具有极高的保护价值和意义。通过对比分析后河保护区内野生鸟类动态变化, 可为保护区生物多样性监测方案设计和保护对策的制定提供科学依据。     

基于红外相机技术调查佛坪国家级自然保护区兽类和鸟类多样性

2015年1月至2017年12月, 在陕西佛坪国家级自然保护区57条巡护样线上布设130台红外相机, 对兽类和鸟类多样性进行调查。累计相机工作日101,220天, 共捕获独立有效事件36,100次, 其中兽类独立照片30,563张, 鸟类3,244张。共记录到野生兽类6目15科29种, 相对多度较高的前5个物种依次是秦岭羚牛(Budorcas bedfordi, RAI = 11.53)、野猪(Sus scrofa, RAI = 4.80)、小麂(Muntiacus reevesi, RAI = 4.35)、大熊猫(Ailuropoda melanoleuca, RAI = 1.81)和中国豪猪(Hystrix hodgsoni, RAI = 1.13)。共记录到鸟类8目14科54种, 相对多度最高的前5个物种依次是红腹锦鸡(Chrysolophus pictus, RAI = 0.97)、红腹角雉(Tragopan temminckii, RAI = 0.74)、紫啸鸫(Myophonus caeruleus, RAI = 0.51)、红嘴蓝鹊(Urocissa erythrorhyncha, RAI = 0.13)、黑领噪鹛(Garrulax pectoralis, RAI = 0.12)。保护区鸟类新记录4种, 包括白眉地鸫(Geokichla sibirica)、白眉鸫(Turdus obscurus)、长尾地鸫(Zoothera dixoni)和灰脸鵟鹰(Butastur indicus); 保护区兽类新记录1种, 为亚洲狗獾(Meles leucurus)。本研究利用红外相机技术客观记录了佛坪国家级自然保护区兽类和鸟类的本底情况, 不仅初步了解了保护区内的野生动物分布, 而且更新了保护区鸟类资源数据库, 为保护区未来的保护和管理工作提供了数据基础。     

Behavioral Responses of Bats to Operating Wind Turbines

Abstract Wind power is one of the fastest growing sectors of the energy industry. Recent studies have reported large numbers of migratory tree-roosting bats being killed at utility-scale wind power facilities, especially in the eastern United States. We used thermal infrared (TIR) cameras to assess the flight behavior of bats at wind turbines because this technology makes it possible to observe the nocturnal behavior of bats and birds independently of supplemental light sources. We conducted this study at the Mountaineer Wind Energy Center in Tucker County, West Virginia, USA, where hundreds of migratory tree bats have been found injured or dead beneath wind turbines. We recorded nightly 9-hour sessions of TIR video of operating turbines from which we assessed altitude, direction, and types of flight maneuvers of bats, birds, and insects. We observed bats actively foraging near operating turbines, rather than simply passing through turbine sites. Our results indicate that bats 1) approached both rotating and nonrotating blades, 2) followed or were trapped in blade-tip vortices, 3) investigated the various parts of the turbine with repeated fly-bys, and 4) were struck directly by rotating blades. Blade rotational speed was a significant negative predictor of collisions with turbine blades, suggesting that bats may be at higher risk of fatality on nights with low wind speeds.     

Bird Mortality in the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area,California

Abstract The 165-km² Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area (APWRA) in west-central California includes 5,400 wind turbines, each rated to generate between 40 kW and 400 kW of electric power, or 580 MW total. Many birds residing or passing through the area are killed by collisions with these wind turbines. We searched for bird carcasses within 50 m of 4,074 wind turbines for periods ranging from 6 months to 4.5 years. Using mortality estimates adjusted for searcher detection and scavenger removal rates, we estimated the annual wind turbine–caused bird fatalities to number 67 (80% CI = 25–109) golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), 188 (80% CI = 116–259) red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis), 348 (80% CI = −49 to 749) American kestrels (Falco sparverius), 440 (80% CI = −133 to 1,013) burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia hypugaea), 1,127 (80% CI = −23 to 2,277) raptors, and 2,710 (80% CI = −6,100 to 11,520) birds. Adjusted mortality estimates were most sensitive to scavenger removal rate, which relates to the amount of time between fatality searches. New on-site studies of scavenger removal rates might warrant revising mortality estimates for some small-bodied bird species, although we cannot predict how the mortality estimates would change. Given the magnitude of our mortality estimates, regulatory agencies and the public should decide whether to enforce laws intended to protect species killed by APWRA wind turbines, and given the imprecision of our estimates, directed research is needed of sources of error and bias for use in studies of bird collisions wherever wind farms are developed. Precision of mortality estimates could be improved by deploying technology to remotely detect collisions and by making wind turbine power output data available to researchers so that the number of fatalities can be related directly to the actual power output of the wind turbine since the last fatality search.     

Negative impact of wind energy development on a breeding shorebird assessed with a BACI study design

Previous studies have shown negative associations between wind energy development and breeding birds, including species of conservation concern. However, the magnitude and causes of such associations remain uncertain, pending detailed ‘before‐after‐control‐intervention’ (BACI) studies. We conducted one of the most detailed such studies to date, assessing the impacts of terrestrial wind energy development on the European Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria, a species with enhanced protection under European environmental law. Disturbance activity during construction had no significant effect on Golden Plover breeding abundance or distribution. In contrast, once turbines were erected, Golden Plover abundance was significantly reduced within the wind farm (?79%) relative to the baseline, with no comparable changes in buffer or control areas. Golden Plovers were significantly displaced by up to 400 m from turbines during operation. Hatching and fledging success were not affected by proximity to turbine locations either during construction or operation. The marked decline in abundance within the wind farm during operation but not construction, together with the lack of evidence for changes in breeding success or habitat, strongly suggests the displacement of breeding adults through behavioural avoidance of turbines, rather than a response to disturbance alone. It is of critical importance that wind farms are appropriately sited to prevent negative wildlife impacts. We demonstrate the importance of detailed BACI designs for quantifying the impacts on birds, and recommend wider application of such studies to improve the evidence base surrounding wind farm impacts on birds.     

风力发电对鸟类的影响以及应对措施

风能是一种清洁而稳定的可再生能源,风力发电可以减少全球温室气体排放,在减缓气候变化中发挥重要作用。然而,风电场的建设会对自然保护、生态环境和动物生存会造成一定的负面影响,其中对鸟类的影响尤为突出。本文通过查阅欧美等国风电场对鸟类及野生动物影响的研究文献,总结了风电场对鸟类的生存、迁徙和栖息地环境的影响,以及导致鸟类与风电塔相撞的影响因素,并提出了相关防范措施和方法。近十年中国风力发电事业发展迅猛,已经成为世界上风电装机容量最大的国家,但中国在评估风电场发展对野生动物影响方面的研究工作非常匮乏。目前,我国应借鉴国外相关研究管理经验,通过长期的连续观测,认真评估国内正在运行和在建风电场对于鸟类和其他野生动物的影响及潜在威胁。同时,应重视鸟类迁徙的基础研究,为新建风电场选址提供科学方案,保证风力发电与生态环境保护之间的和谐发展。     

Assessment of wind‐farm and other bird casualties from carcasses found on a Northumbrian beach over an 11‐year period

Capsule For 3748 bird carcasses found on 4.7 km of shoreline, the main cause of death was starvation. Three percent of deaths were attributed to wind turbines.

Aims To assess the main mortality causes from bird bodies washed ashore near wind turbines built in 1993.

Methods Weekly searches were made for bird carcasses to ascertain causes of death. Experiments tested the efficiency of searches, longevity of carcasses, and effects of wind direction on deposition rates.

Results In total, 3748 bird carcasses were found, an average of 341 per year. Guillemots formed 24.3% of the total, Kittiwakes 9.7%, Herring Gulls 9.0%, Black‐headed Gulls 7.4%, Great Black‐backed Gulls 6.4% and Feral Pigeons 11.3%. Each year more carcasses were found in winter than in summer, with a nine‐fold variation between winters. About 28.1% of carcasses were classed as starved, and 23.3% as eaten at sea (predation or scavenging). Of human‐related causes, 3.3% were birds affected by fishing gear, 3.0% were oiled, 6.4% had died from collisions (including 3% with wind‐turbines), the rest from minor or unidentified causes. Small passerines were probably under‐represented.

Conclusion Allowing for bodies not found, the local wind‐farm probably killed 148.5–193.5 birds per year, or 16.5–21.5 birds per turbine per year (mainly large gulls).     

Estimating Wind Turbine-Caused Bird Mortality

ABSTRACT Mortality estimates are needed of birds and bats killed by wind turbines because wind power generation is rapidly expanding worldwide. A mortality estimate is based on the number of fatalities assumed caused by wind turbines and found during periodic searches, plus the estimated number not found. The 2 most commonly used estimators adjust mortality estimates by rates of searcher detection and scavenger removal of carcasses. However, searcher detection trials can be biased by the species used in the trial, the number volitionally placed for a given fatality search, and the disposition of the carcass on the ground. Scavenger removal trials can be biased by the metric representing removal rate, the number of carcasses placed at once, the duration of the trial, species used, whether carcasses were frozen, whether carcasses included injuries consistent with wind turbine collisions, season, distance from the wind turbines, and general location. I summarized searcher detection rates among reported trials, and I developed models to predict the proportion of carcasses remaining since the last fatality search. The summaries I present can be used to adjust previous and future estimates of mortality to improve comparability. I also identify research directions to better understand these and other adjustments needed to compare mortality estimates among wind farms.     

The effects of a wind farm on birds in a migration point: the Strait of Gibraltar

The interaction between birds and wind turbines is an important factor to consider when a wind farm is constructed. A wind farm and two control areas were studied in Tarifa (Andalusia Province, southern Spain, 30STF590000–30STE610950). Variables were studied along linear transects in each area and observations of flight were also recorded from fixed points in the wind farm. The main purpose of our research was to determine the impact and the degree of flight behavioural change in birds flights resulting from a wind farm. Soaring birds can detect the presence of the turbines because they change their flight direction when they fly near the turbines and their abundance did not seem to be affected. This is also supported by the low amount of dead birds we found in the whole study period in the wind farm area. More studies will be necessary after and before the construction of wind farms to assess changes in passerine populations. Windfarms do not appear to be more detrimental to birds than other man-made structures.     

A Comprehensive Analysis of Small-Passerine Fatalities from Collision with Turbines at Wind Energy Facilities

Small passerines, sometimes referred to as perching birds or songbirds, are the most abundant bird group in the United States (US) and Canada, and the most common among bird fatalities caused by collision with turbines at wind energy facilities. We used data compiled from 116 studies conducted in the US and Canada to estimate the annual rate of small-bird fatalities. It was necessary for us to calculate estimates of small-bird fatality rates from reported all-bird rates for 30% of studies. The remaining 70% of studies provided data on small-bird fatalities. We then adjusted estimates to account for detection bias and loss of carcasses from scavenging. These studies represented about 15% of current operating capacity (megawatts [MW]) for all wind energy facilities in the US and Canada and provided information on 4,975 bird fatalities, of which we estimated 62.5% were small passerines comprising 156 species. For all wind energy facilities currently in operation, we estimated that about 134,000 to 230,000 small-passerine fatalities from collision with wind turbines occur annually, or 2.10 to 3.35 small birds/MW of installed capacity. When adjusted for species composition, this indicates that about 368,000 fatalities for all bird species are caused annually by collisions with wind turbines. Other human-related sources of bird deaths, (e.g., communication towers, buildings [including windows]), and domestic cats) have been estimated to kill millions to billions of birds each year. Compared to continent-wide population estimates, the cumulative mortality rate per year by species was highest for black-throated blue warbler and tree swallow; 0.043% of the entire population of each species was estimated to annually suffer mortality from collisions with turbines. For the eighteen species with the next highest values, this estimate ranged from 0.008% to 0.038%, much lower than rates attributed to collisions with communication towers (1.2% to 9.0% for top twenty species).     

Paint it black: Efficacy of increased wind turbine rotor blade visibility to reduce avian fatalities

As wind energy deployment increases and larger wind‐power plants are considered, bird fatalities through collision with moving turbine rotor blades are expected to increase. However, few (cost‐) effective deterrent or mitigation measures have so far been developed to reduce the risk of collision. Provision of “passive” visual cues may enhance the visibility of the rotor blades enabling birds to take evasive action in due time. Laboratory experiments have indicated that painting one of three rotor blades black minimizes motion smear (Hodos 2003, Minimization of motion smear: Reducing avian collisions with wind turbines). We tested the hypothesis that painting would increase the visibility of the blades, and that this would reduce fatality rates in situ, at the Smøla wind‐power plant in Norway, using a Before–After–Control–Impact approach employing fatality searches. The annual fatality rate was significantly reduced at the turbines with a painted blade by over 70%, relative to the neighboring control (i.e., unpainted) turbines. The treatment had the largest effect on reduction of raptor fatalities; no white‐tailed eagle carcasses were recorded after painting. Applying contrast painting to the rotor blades significantly reduced the collision risk for a range of birds. Painting the rotor blades at operational turbines was, however, resource demanding given that they had to be painted while in‐place. However, if implemented before construction, this cost will be minimized. It is recommended to repeat this experiment at other sites to ensure that the outcomes are generic at various settings.