Short Science Summary: European Migratory Soaring Birds and Wind Energy Development

Common Kestrel

Some birds, such as raptors and vultures, have large wings relative to their body size, providing good lift in rising air currents. Soaring birds can sustain flight for long periods without flapping their wings, but are largely dependent on ascending currents resulting from the uneven warming of the Earth’s surface or the wind blowing over mountain ridges. Collisions of large soaring bird with wind turbines are of particular conservation concern, given that they are long-lived, have low reproductive rates with few eggs in each clutch, and invest considerable time in rearing their young. This summary represents a general overview of the research, produced by WREN under IEA Wind. A list of the sources used to develop this Short Science Summary is also available here.

The table below contains the literature relevant to this summary document and will continue to be updated as new literature is added to Tethys.

Title Author Date Content Type Technology Stressor Receptor
Assessment of Avian Use and Mortality Related to Wind Turbine Operations, Altamont Pass, Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, California, September 1988 through August 1989, Final Report Howell, J., Didonato, J. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds, Raptors
An improved marine radar system for studies of bird migration Cooper, B., Day, R., Ritchie, R., Cranor, C. Journal Article Wind Energy, Fixed Offshore Wind Birds
Wind Farm Location and Environmental Impact Clarke, A. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Noise, Habitat Change Birds
Research Program Concerning the Social and Environmental Aspects Related to the Windfarm Project of SEP Lubbers, F. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Birds
Vogels en windturbines (Birds and windturbines) Winkelman, J. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision, Habitat Change Birds
Cape Blanco Wind Farm Feasibility Study Technical Report No. 11: Terrestrial Ecology Portland General Electric Company Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds
Environmental Aspects of Large-Scale Wind-Power Systems in the UK Robson, A. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision, Noise Birds, Human Dimensions, Visual Impacts
Bird Movements and Collision Mortality at a Large Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine Byrne, S. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Waterfowl, Raptors, Passerines, Birds
The possible impact of wind power generators on flying birds Mead, C. Report Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Collision Birds
Raptor Baseline Studies in Energy Development Kennedy, P. Journal Article Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Birds, Raptors
A Workshop on Raptors and Energy Development Howard, R., Gore, J. Workshop Article Wind Energy Birds, Raptors
Environmental Effects of Small Wind Energy Conversion Systems (SWECS) Lawrence, K., Strojan, C. Book Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind Attraction, Avoidance, Collision Birds
Displaying 2001 - 2012 of 2012 results