Study eases fear of wind farm threat to birds

subscribe

Wind turbines do not drive birds from surrounding areas, British researchers said recently, in findings which could make it easier to build more wind farms.

Conservation groups have raised fears that large birds could get caught in the turbines and that the structures could disturb other species.

But scientists found only one of the 23 species studied, the pheasant, was affected during their survey of two wind farms in eastern England.

The findings published in the Journal of Applied Ecology could help government and business efforts to boost the number of wind farms as a way to increase production of renewable energy.

"This is the first evidence suggesting that the present and future location of large numbers of wind turbines on European farmland is unlikely to have detrimental effects on farmland birds," Mark Whittingham, whose team from Newcastle University carried out the research, said in a statement.

"This should be welcome news for nature conservationists, wind energy companies and policy makers."

The survey studied the impact of two wind farms on about 3,000 birds in the area, including five species of conservation concern — the yellowhammer, the Eurasian tree sparrow, the corn bunting, the Eurasian skylark and the common reed bunting.

The researchers recorded the density of birds at different distances from the turbines and found that aside from the pheasant, the structures posed no problems.

The new findings are important because the European Union is committed to generating 20 percent of its energy from renewable resources by 2020 and is also seeking to boost biodiversity.

The study did not look at the danger of the birds colliding with the turbines, which has been a worry of conservationists, Whittingham said.

Spanish utility Iberdrola, Germany's E.ON and Scottish & Southern Energy all operate wind farms.

In August, Czech power group CEZ announced plans to build the biggest onshore wind park in Europe.

Related News

ford-cancels-wind

Doug Ford ‘proud’ of decision to tear up hundreds of green energy contracts

TORONTO - Ontario Premier Doug Ford said Thursday he is “proud” of his decision to tear up hundreds of renewable energy deals, a move that his government acknowledges could cost taxpayers more than $230 million.

Ford dismissed criticism that his Progressive Conservatives are wasting public money, telling a news conference that the cancellation of 750 contracts signed by the previous Liberal government will save cash.

“I’m so proud of that,” Ford said of his decision. “I’m proud that we actually saved the taxpayers $790 million when we cancelled those terrible, terrible, terrible wind turbines that really for the last 15 years have…

READ MORE
power lines

European Power Hits Records as Plants Start to Buckle in Heat

READ MORE

dawn farrell

As Alberta electricity generators switch to gas, power price cap comes under spotlight

READ MORE

docked ferry

By Land and Sea, Clean Electricity Needs to Lead the Way

READ MORE

BC Hydro suspends new crypto mining connections due to extreme electricity use

READ MORE