High bird mortality due to power lines invokes urgent environmental mitigation in a tropical desert

2021 ◽  
Vol 261 ◽  
pp. 109262
Author(s):  
Mohib Uddin ◽  
Sutirtha Dutta ◽  
Vishnupriya Kolipakam ◽  
Hrishika Sharma ◽  
Farha Usmani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Power Lines ◽  
Bird Mortality ◽  
Environmental Mitigation

scholarly journals Bird mortality on medium-voltage power lines in the Czech Republic

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-44
Author(s):  
Vlasta Škorpíková ◽  
Václav Hlaváč ◽  
Milan Křápek
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
The Other ◽  
Power Lines ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Birds Of Prey ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Medium Voltage ◽  
Bird Mortality ◽  
Straight Lines

Abstract In 2015–2016, 6,429 km medium-voltage power lines with 76,430 pylons were checked for bird mortality in the Czech Republic. 1,326 bird victims of power lines were found, 156 of which died after collisions, and 1,170 birds were electrocuted. They belonged to 60 species from 12 orders, and birds of prey made up almost half of all victims. Steel pylons bearing several cross-arms including upper and crosswise jumpers were identified as most dangerous from the electrocution point of view. On the other hand, pylons in straight lines with Pařát cross-arms (triangular arrangement of conductors without any horizontal bar) were among the least dangerous, and when they had a simple perch fitted below the cross-arm, no mortality was recorded. But these pylons are new in practice and despite becoming widely used recently, they form less than one tenth of all pylons in the Czech Republic. On other pylons various types of mitigation measures have been installed. Commonly used plastic covers and plastic strips have proved to be especially effective, but only in cases when they are undamaged and correctly installed.

scholarly journals Monitoring of effectiveness of bird flight diverters in preventing bird mortality from powerline collisions in Slovakia

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-59
Author(s):  
Marek Gális ◽  
Michal Ševčík
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Power Line ◽  
Power Lines ◽  
Flight Distance ◽  
Bird Flight ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Bird Mortality ◽  
Positive Effect

Abstract Flight observations and carcass searches were carried out along distribution power lines in Slovakia. 77 km of 22 kV and 110 kV lines were marked on a total of 108 sections to evaluate the effectiveness of three types of bird flight diverters (FireFly Bird Diverter, RIBE Bird Flight Diverter and SWAN-FLIGHT Diverter) designed to increase power line visibility. Numbers of carcasses were compared before and after installation of the devices and reaction distances on marked power lines were surveyed. We observed a 93.5% reduction (93 vs. 6) in the number of fatalities under the marked power lines after line marking (06/2016–06/2019) compared to the period before installation (12/2014–02/2016). 2,296 flight reactions were observed and an estimated total of 41,885 individuals (57 bird species belonging to 13 orders) were recorded with their reactions to marked lines in the period 06/2016–06/2019. After installation of bird diverters, there was a low proportion of flight distance observations at the closest distance, i.e. up to 5 m, indicating that birds reacted further away from marked lines. Although we lack flight observations for the period before the installation of diverters, the reactions of birds at greater distances and reduced number of bird victims under marked lines indicate that all tested diverters have a positive effect on reducing the number of avian collisions with power lines.

scholarly journals Efficacy of different types of “bird flight diverter” in reducing bird mortality due to collision with transmission power lines

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
pp. e01130
Author(s):  
Miguel Ferrer ◽  
Virginia Morandini ◽  
Ryan Baumbusch ◽  
Roberto Muriel ◽  
Manuela De Lucas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Power Lines ◽  
Transmission Power ◽  
Bird Flight ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Bird Mortality

scholarly journals Testing for errors in estimating bird mortality rates at wind farms and power lines

2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 431-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
MIGUEL ÁNGEL FARFÁN ◽  
JESÚS DUARTE ◽  
JOHN E. FA ◽  
RAIMUNDO REAL ◽  
JUAN MARIO VARGAS
Keyword(s):  
Wind Farm ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Wind Farms ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Power Line ◽  
Rotor Blades ◽  
Power Lines ◽  
Time Intervals ◽  
Frequent Monitoring ◽  
Bird Mortality

SummaryWind power, as an alternative to fossil fuels, is increasingly common, and is expanding worldwide. Wind farms cause mortality of flying animals through collision with moving rotor blades, and from electrocution on associated power lines. Avian mortality rates have been estimated from birds collected under turbines over varying time intervals. However, without adequate and frequent monitoring, dead birds may be removed by scavengers and thus cause an underestimation of fatalities. In this paper, we tested experimentally for possible errors arising in avian mortality caused by the removal of carcasses by scavengers. At two different wind farms and associated power lines in southern Spain, we placed pigeon and quail carcasses to determine their disappearance rate. All dead pigeons were radio-tagged to estimate distances taken by scavengers. We found significant differences in carcass disappearance rates of pigeons and quails, and between wind farms and power lines but not between habitats. All quails and 45% of pigeon carcasses had disappeared by the third and fourteenth day, respectively. Less than half (40%) of the carcasses were found < 100 m from where they were deposited. While scavenging losses may vary according to the location of the wind farm or power line, here we propose a method to estimate correctly the number of fatalities at any wind farm and power line. Using this method, we can improve our understanding of the real impact of wind structures on adjacent bird communities, and adopt appropriate measures to ensure their conservation.

scholarly journals Comprehensive analysis of bird mortality along power distribution lines in Slovakia

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-25
Author(s):  
Marek Gális ◽  
Ladislav Naďo ◽  
Ervín Hapl ◽  
Ján Šmídt ◽  
Lucia Deutschová ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Power Distribution ◽  
Field Survey ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Power Lines ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Saker Falcon ◽  
Bird Mortality ◽  
Aquila Heliaca

Abstract Collisions and electrocutions on power lines are known to kill large numbers of birds annually on a global scale. We conducted comprehensive research focused on bird mortality caused by 22 kV and 110 kV distribution power lines in 13 Special Protection Areas in Slovakia. In the period between December 2014 and February 2016, 6,235 km of power lines were inspected twice during two periods (12/2014–03/2015 and 04/2015–02/2016) of field survey. In addition an intensive study was conducted during the second field survey at one-month intervals on power lines identified as the most dangerous for birds to collide with. As a result, 4,353 bird carcasses and bird remains representing 84 bird species and 14 orders were identified. Electrocution was suspected for 76.72% and collision for 23.28% of fatalities. Raptors were associated with 40% of all identified victims of electrocution. Two peaks of incidence were recorded, the first in March with a high rate of electrocutions as well as collisions of swans, pheasants, common blackbirds, ducks and herons, and the second in September predominantly featuring electrocution of raptors, magpies and corvids. We were unable to quantify seasonal patterns of mortality due to the limited sample of repeated mortality surveys resulting from the large grid of inspected power lines. We conducted comprehensive statistical analysis of more than 100 configurations of pylons and calculated their potential risk towards birds. Strong spatial correlation was revealed in the data set. Metal branch pylons and corner pylons with exposed jumper wires passing over the supporting insulators above the cross arms were the most dangerous configuration, accounting for 34.72% of total recorded electrocution fatalities (0.13 carcass/pylon). Cases of electrocution were also recorded for two bird species of major conservation concern in Slovakia: saker falcon (Falco cherrug) and eastern imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca). The results of this study may substantially improve conservation management and policies needed to reduce bird mortality.

The Sensory Ecology of Collisions and Entrapment

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham R. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Sensory Ecology ◽  
Power Lines ◽  
Target Species ◽  
Ecological Requirements ◽  
Bird Mortality ◽  
Categorical Response

Collisions of birds with human artefacts (power lines, wind turbines, glass sheets, etc.) are major source of bird mortality. Many birds are also killed by entrapment in fishing nets. A sensory ecology perspective on this problem shows that collision and entrapment occur because these hazards present perceptual tasks that are beyond the capacities of the birds; birds are carrying out tasks where a hazard would not be predicted; or birds perceive the hazard but make an inappropriate categorical response. Birds that fly into power lines and turbines may be simply not looking ahead or are flying in conditions in which their resolution is very low. Reducing collisions requires far more than attempting to make hazards more conspicuous to humans. It requires recognition of the birds’ perceptual limitations and their distraction away from hazard sites. This requires taking account of the particular ecological requirements and sensory capacities of each target species.

scholarly journals Methodology of risk assessment for electricity distribution lines in Slovakia with regard to potential bird mortality due to collisions with power lines

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-73
Author(s):  
Ján Šmídt ◽  
Ervín Hapl ◽  
Marek Gális
Keyword(s):  
Bird Community ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Power Line ◽  
Power Lines ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Migration Routes ◽  
Bird Flight ◽  
Line System ◽  
Bird Mortality ◽  
Landscape Information

Abstract Power lines represent an important and increasing worldwide cause of avian mortality due to collisions involving flying birds. One positive and very important fact is that only some parts of potentially dangerous lines are responsible for the majority of killed birds. These sections need to be identified and treated with proper mitigation measures. In this article we present a specially-prepared methodology aimed at classifying power lines according to the risk they present. The identification of power lines with the highest risk of possible bird collision requires easily-accessed biological, technical and landscape information. In addition to analyses of these main inputs, our methodology also evaluates the influence of power line orientation relative to the important migration routes of birds, the effect of nearby tree growth higher than the evaluated power lines, and the complexity of landscape relief. Based on these three additional inputs, it is possible to produce a digitalized map showing with one-meter accuracy the location of power line sections with the high/middle/low mortality risk due to collision for any existing or newly-planned grid. Sections with highest risk should be considered as priority for the implementation of mitigation measures including e.g. installation of bird flight diverters. Our methodology was prepared for 22 kV and 110 kV distribution power lines in Slovakia. It is flexible enough to be applied equally to any geographic conditions and/or bird community, different voltage levels and construction designs of power lines. Our methodology can be applied by ornithologists, nature conservancy organization and power line system operators to implement environmental and cost-effective mitigation measures.

Carcass removal by scavengers and search accuracy affect bird mortality estimates at power lines

2010 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 603-612 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Ponce ◽  
J. C. Alonso ◽  
G. Argandoña ◽  
A. García Fernández ◽  
M. Carrasco
Keyword(s):  
Power Lines ◽  
Bird Mortality ◽  
Mortality Estimates

scholarly journals Electrocutions of Bids on Power Lines in the Khakassia Republic, Russia, in 2020

2020 ◽  
pp. 26-63
Author(s):  
Elena P. Shnayder ◽  
◽  
Elvira G. Nikolenko ◽  
Igor V. Karyakin ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Steppe Zone ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Power Lines ◽  
Forest Steppe ◽  
Medium Voltage ◽  
Milvus Migrans ◽  
Black Kite ◽  
Bird Mortality ◽  
The Cost

The article represents results of inspection of power lines for bird casualty in the Minusinsk Hollow, Khakassia, Russia in 2020. Previous inspection was done in the region in 2011 thus our work reveals changes in bird casualty over the last 10 years. The bird mortality on power lines of medium voltage remains remarkably high – mean value for the breeding season is 8.21 ind. per 1 km of line. The most dangerous lines are the ones on concrete poles with pin insulators located in open habitats away from human settlements. Lines of this type attract vast abundance of birds with high species diversity including high percentage of birds of prey and owls. Short lines protruding in the open terrain and parts of lines running through hilly landscapes are of extreme danger. Electrocuted birds are mostly represented by Corvids (66%). Raptors made 28% from the total, represented mostly by the common species such as Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) – 17.7% and Black Kite (Milvus migrans) – 6.5%, that is character for the forest-steppe zone of Russia. Total damage done to nature by 111.5 km of surveyed power lines was accounted for 18 100 000 Rub (about €204 000 or $243 770). The overall damage which could be caused by the power network of Khakassia was estimated as 64 171 440 Rub per year (that is equal to €723 310 or $864 246). This involves death of more than 3 252 birds per year in one small republic. The damage caused by one electricity pole calculated by the actual results of inspection was 10 485.6 Rub, that is at least 10 time higher that the cost of a set of bird-protection devices for a pole. At the end of the article, we gave our recommendations for minimizing the damage.

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