Bird migration monitoring in the Saint Nikola Wind Farm, Kaliakra region, in autumn 2016, and an analysis of potential impact after seven years of operation

Report

Title: Bird migration monitoring in the Saint Nikola Wind Farm, Kaliakra region, in autumn 2016, and an analysis of potential impact after seven years of operation

Author:

Zehtindjiev, P.

Publication Date:

November 1, 2016

Pages:

Affiliation

Bulgarian Academy of Sciences

Sponsoring Organization:

AES Geo Energy

Technology:

Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind

Receptor:

Birds

Document Access

Website:

External Link

Attachment:

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Citation

Zehtindjiev, P. (2016). Bird migration monitoring in the Saint Nikola Wind Farm, Kaliakra region, in autumn 2016, and an analysis of potential impact after seven years of operation. Report by Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. Report for AES Geo Energy.

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Abstract

This report presents the results of 90 consecutive days of monitoring and mitigation at Saint Nikola Wind Farm (SNWF) in 2016, its 7th operational year. The continued purpose is to investigate the possible impacts of SNWF on migrating birds.
Spatial and temporal dynamics in the numbers of different species passing through the wind farm territory during autumn migration 2016 (15 August to 31 October) are presented. The data from the autumn monitoring in the years 2008 to 2016 are used to investigate the potential change in species composition, numbers, altitude or the flight direction of birds observed in these nine years at SNWF.
The variations in numbers of species, absolute number of birds, overall altitudes of flight and migratory direction of birds most sensitive to wind turbines do not indicate an adverse effect of the wind farm on diurnal migrating birds.
The Turbine Shutdown System (TSS) probably contributed to a reduced risk of collision during all years of operation within infrequent periods of intensive soaring bird migration and provided a safety mechanism to reduce collision risk for single birds and flocks of endangered bird species.
Regular searches under operational turbines for collision victims were continued, as in several previous years. In autumn 2016 these searches recorded only single casualties, for several species of no conservation concern: Magpie, Jay, Spotted flycatcher, Red-backed shrike, House martin, Kestrel, Goldcrest, Starling and Yellow-legged gull.
The predicted mortality rates by species based on preconstruction data on numbers of migrating birds are not supported by the mortality observed during any of the seven years of operation of SNWF. The levels of mortality predicted pre-construction have not been recorded during any year of operation. This is largely because ‘worst case’ predictions were based on BSPB (Bulgarian BirdLife partner) data that substantially exaggerated the numbers of migrants passing through SNWF.
The results to date continue to indicate that SNWF does not constitute a significant displacement/disturbing obstacle or mortality threat, either physically or demographically, to any of the populations of diurnal autumn migrants observed in this study.