Documenting and reducing avian electrocutions in Hungary: a conservation contribution from citizen scientists

Demeter, Iván; Horváth, Márton; Nagy, Károly; Görögh, Zoltán; Tóth, Péter; Bagyura, János; Solt, Szabolcs; Kovács, Annamária; Dwyer, James F.; Harness, Richard E.

doi:10.1676/17-031.1

Cited by 24 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…The highest mortality rate due to electrocution is registered mainly for mediumsized and large birds. In certain cases it can have significant negative effect on the species, either on the local scale or even at the population level, such as has been documented for the saker falcon (Harness et al 2008, Kovács et al 2014 or imperial eagle (Bagyura et al 2002, Karyakin et al 2009, Demeter et al 2018.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…The problem has also been described in various countries in Asia, e.g. Mongolia, Saudi Arabia, India, Dagestan (Gombobaatar et al 2004, Harness et al 2008, Karyakin et al 2009, Shobrak 2012, Gadziev 2013 and in Europe (Ferrer et al 1991; Janss & Ferrer 2001, Haas et al 2005, Demerdziev et al 2009, Samushenko et al 2012, Demerdziev 2014, Demeter et al 2018. Several of the available studies include quantified avian electrocution rates.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Power lines cause a large proportion of mortality for some species, especially raptors (Harness & Wilson 2001, Guil et al 2011. Corvids and birds of prey often use poles for roosting or hunting, as they are often the tallest structures in grassland and open agricultural land (APLIC 2006, Demeter et al 2018. These two groups are therefore often evaluated together.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…During the monitoring in a recent study done in Hungary (01/2004-12/2014), volunteer researchers surveyed 57,486 pylons. 3,400 bird carcasses of at least 79 species were identified as electrocuted (Demeter et al 2018). Due to relative similar types of pylons in the listed countries (Slovakia, Czech Republic and Hungary), the different proportions of electrocuted species most likely reflect the differences in composition of bird populations in the surveyed habitats.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The imperial eagle population was composed of at least 90-95 breeding pairs and for the saker falcon 30-32 breeding pairs for the whole of Slovakia (Chavko 2018). Both are endangered especially by human activities, but one of the main causes of mortality is electrocution on distribution power lines (Heredia 1996, Bagyura et al 2002, Nagy & Demeter 2006, Karyakin et al 2009, Chavko 2010, Horváth et al 2011, Prommer et al 2012, Kovács et al 2014, Nemček et al 2014, Demeter et al 2018.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Comprehensive analysis of bird mortality along power distribution lines in Slovakia

et al. 2019

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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.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Comprehensive analysis of bird mortality along power distribution lines in Slovakia

et al. 2019

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Crowd‐sourced reporting of birds nesting on power lines in Iran

Kolnegari

Hazrati

Tehrani³

et al. 2022

Wildlife Society Bulletin

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Birds frequently nest on overhead electrical infrastructure, which can lead to electrocutions, equipment damage, fires, and power outages when birds or nests contact energized equipment. Consequently, it is important that electric utilities have data-driven plans for addressing avian nesting on power structures. Iran's Birds and Power Lines Committee (IBPLC) establishes guidelines for how electric utilities in Iran address avian interactions with electrical infrastructure. To support the IBPLC, we gathered information on avian nesting on power lines in Iran by searching posts from 4 crowd-sourced groups: Bargh News, the Iranian linemen group on Instagram, and the Power Distribution Lines Experts and Linemen of Iran groups on Telegram. Contributions (e.g., postings) for each of these groups was limited to electric utility personnel in Iran. We reviewed photos and contacted members in the groups to identify nesting species and voltages of the electrical infrastructure supporting nests. We found 976 nests reported by 89 linemen from January 2019 through December 2020. Most (88%) were found during routine operations and maintenance, but some (12%) were found during power outage investigations. Most (77%) were on distribution pylons, with the rest (23%) on transmission towers. Of the nests found, 203 (21%) were species protected under Iranian law due to small and declining populations. The information we gathered was used by IBPLC to revise electric utility guidelines and ban the destruction of occupied nests (containing eggs or young) on power structures, except in cases where nests create an

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Electrocution of Raptors

SÓS-KOROKNAI¹,

SÓS²

2023

Fowler' S Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine Current Therapy, Volume 10

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Documenting and reducing avian electrocutions in Hungary: a conservation contribution from citizen scientists

Cited by 24 publications

References 30 publications

Comprehensive analysis of bird mortality along power distribution lines in Slovakia

Comprehensive analysis of bird mortality along power distribution lines in Slovakia

Crowd‐sourced reporting of birds nesting on power lines in Iran

Electrocution of Raptors

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