Alternative methods to mitigate wind turbine collisions for vultures and other soaring birds

Abstract

The fast pace of development within the wind power industry continues to grow, with numerous major developments in the late stages of planning or already underway (Windustry 2015). The ongoing problem of bird mortalities associated with wind turbine collisions can thus be expected to increase, particularly in situations where development permission has already been granted in sensitive areas. Whilst a number of mitigation methods and new turbine designs are currently available there are a number of drawbacks related to their efficiency of operation or timely implementation (Desholm 2003, Duchamp 2014, Kelly & Fielder 2008, May et al. 2012, May et al. 2015). A review by May et al. (2015) on 26 different postconstruction measures currently available to reduce bird mortality at wind farms suggests that those directly altering turbine speed or effecting temporary shutdowns may prove to be most effective. Approaches that aim to alter bird behaviour, including those that provide visual and sound based cues, may also prove to be effective to some degree (May et al. 2015). However increasing the attractiveness of areas surrounding a wind farm may well be the preferred option to draw bird species away from turbines (Goodwin 2013, Martin et.al 2012, May et al. 2015).