Failure of Utility Pole Perch Deterrents Modified During Installation

Dwyer, James F.; Taylor, Renee C.; French, Germaine A.

doi:10.3356/0892-1016-54.2.172

Cited by 3 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…However, there are places where it is still applied because of its low cost (Janss and Ferrer 1999;Prather and Messmer 2010). In addition, brush perch deflectors are often not placed properly, or have no maintenance and last little time in good condition, becoming death traps (Dwyer et al 2020). Almost 40% of sampled retrofitted poles had lost at least one of the perch deterrents.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

et al. 2021

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“…Dwyer et al 2016a). A correct design is essential for a long-lived structure (Dwyer et al 2020). The most parsimonious model for explaining the use of pylons with or without supplemental perches included observation conditions (year, season, district, latitude, and longitude).…”

Section: Comparing Perching On Pylons With and Without Supplemental Pmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do supplemental perches influence electrocution risk for diurnal raptors?

Sánchez

Sanchez

Oria³

et al. 2020

Avian Res

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Background: Power lines are amongst the main causes of mortality for birds globally. Electrocution drives the population dynamics of several threatened species of raptors, at local and global scales. Among the many solutions that have been tested to minimize this threat are supplemental perches; however, their efficiency has rarely been assessed. Methods: We designed 43 transects in 4 districts in mainland Portugal to gather data from birds perching on pylons with or without supplemental perches. From 2015 to 2018, transects were surveyed by car at least once. We analyzed the factors driving the use of these supplemental perches, and we analyzed if there were differences in the perceived risk (calculated from measurements and not from field surveys) depending on whether the perching was on pylons with or without supplemental perches. Results: We recorded 548 perches of 14 species. Weather conditions seemed to play a role in birds' choice of pylons with supplemental perches versus pylons without supplemental perches. Models also indicated a strong influence of observational conditions. The use of models showed us an important specific effect in the selection of supplemental perches where available: there are some species with a greater tendency to perch on supplemental perches, even when they use both pylons with and without supplemental perches. For most of the analyzed species and species groups, perceived risk was higher in pylons without supplemental perches compared to pylons with supplemental perches, but there were differences between species. Conclusions: Supplemental perches may be a useful and efficient tool for mitigating raptor electrocution. However, there are many influential factors affecting their success, and their effectiveness with different species groups is not homogeneous. Some studies show higher electrocution rates for certain species and devices and thus, their efficacy must be validated. We propose a two-step validation process, first in controlled conditions and then in the field. A common protocol should be established to enable comparisons between studies.

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“…Collectively, these four papers provide important new data on raptors' interactions with electrical systems outside the most studied areas of North America and Europe. Tincher et al (2020) describe assessment of perch deterrents in a model system, and Dwyer et al (2020c) describe mechanical failures of perch deterrents on a real-world power line. Comparing the lessons learned in these two studies, and in the foundational studies they cite, may help readers think more deeply about the likely effectiveness of perch deterrents in the electric systems they study or manage.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The intent of the Conservation Letter is to provide a scientific review of raptor interactions with power lines and serve as a go-to publication for the perspective of the Raptor Research Foundation. The hope is that the combination of novel study areas described (Dixon et al 2020, Heck and Schwartz 2020, Kemper et al 2020, Sarasola et al 2020, novel data (Bedrosian et al 2020, Dwyer et al 2020a, 2020b, 2020c, Smith et al 2020, Tincher et al 2020, and a Raptor Research Foundation Conservation Letter (Slater et al 2020) will enable readers of this special issue to identify areas where additional work is needed to mitigate negative interactions between raptors and electric systems. The special issue is missing recent European perspectives.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%