Bird accidents in Southern Mongolia : a case study of bird electrocution

Ganbold, Onolragchaa; Bing, Gi-Chang; Purevee, Erdenetushig; Munkhbayar, Munkhbaatar; Choi, Won-Suk; Jargalsaikhan, Ariunbold; Paik, In-Hwan; Purevdorj, Zoljargal; Jargal, Namsrai; Paek, Woon-Kee

doi:10.30980/kjo.2018.12.25.2.94

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…At least 30 electrocuted bird species have been recorded in this country, which has one of the largest electrocution rates worldwide. Although our study does not reach the highest rates recorded in Mongolia such as 21 birds/100 poles (Dixon et al 2017a) or 65 birds/100 poles (Dixon et al 2018), our mortality rate (6.96 birds/100 poles) remains similar (Harness et al 2008) and even higher (Ganbold et al 2018) than studies conducted further north. Through our study, we reaffirm the high bird electrocution rate in the understudied region of the Gobi Desert.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 60%

“…One of the largest concerns is the high mortality rate of the Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug; Dixon et al 2020), which is globally endangered (BirdLife International 2021) and a large part of its breeding population is in Mongolia (Gombobaatar et al 2004). Despite previous research about birds and power lines carried out in Mongolia (Harness et al 2008;Amartuvshin and Gombobaatar 2012;Dixon et al 2013a), most studies have been located in the central and eastern part of the country (Ganbold et al 2018). By contrast, large areas in southern Mongolia have remained understudied.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Avian-power line interactions in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia: are mitigation actions effective?

et al. 2021

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Background Electrocution and collisions on power lines are among the leading causes of non-natural mortality for birds. Power lines are exponentially increasing, particularly in developing countries, but mitigation strategies to prevent bird mortality are questionable. Mongolia combines a recently increased power line network, an abundant raptor population, a dangerous crossarm configuration and a habitat with no natural perches, producing many bird-power line interactions. Our aim is to assess the bird mortality caused by power lines in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia, to determine the factors increasing the risk of bird electrocution, and to evaluate the effectiveness of used retrofitting measures. Methods In July 2019 we covered 132.9 km of 15 kV power lines checking 1092 poles. We also conducted bird transects to record raptor and corvid richness and abundance, to assess species vulnerability to electrocution. Results We recorded 76 electrocuted birds of 7 species. Electrocution rate was 6.96 birds/100 poles. The most affected species were Common Raven (Corvus corax) and Upland Buzzard (Buteo hemilasius), highlighting the electrocution of 5 endangered Saker Falcons (Falco cherrug). By contrast, we only recorded 8 individuals of 5 species colliding with wires, the most affected being Pallas’s Sandgrouse (Syrrhaptes paradoxus). About 76.1% of sampled poles had some mitigation measure. Of these, 96.6% were brush perch deflectors and 3.4% rotating-mirrors perch deterrents. We found differences in electrocution rates among crossarm configurations, with the strain insulator with one jumper being the most lethal. Additionally, we found no correlation between bird abundance and electrocution rates, suggesting that some species are more sensitive to electrocution. Although no differences in total bird electrocution rates were detected between poles with and without perch deterrents, when bird size is considered, deterrents reduced the mortality rate of small birds, while they were ineffective for medium-sized birds. Conclusions Despite the widespread use of perch deterrents in the Mongolian power line network, there is still an alarming electrocution rate. This strategy is ineffective and some mechanisms, such as brush perch deflectors, may increase the electrocution rate for some medium-sized birds. Finally, we propose strategies to minimize the avian electrocution rate in the Gobi Desert.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 60%