Modelling the spatial concentrations of bird migration to assess conflicts with wind turbines

Liechti, Félix; Guélat, Jérôme; Komenda-Zehnder, Susanna

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2013.03.018

Cited by 42 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Avoidance rates of nocturnally migrating species toward wind turbines have not been extensively studied, but conservative estimates of 98% to 99% avoidance have been used in collisionrisk models (Chamberlain et al 2006, Liechti et al 2013. Nocturnal migrants primarily comprise passerine species that are relatively abundant and widespread so subtle changes in avoidance rates can have large implications on the accuracy of collision-risk models (Chamberlain et al 2006).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In North America, passerine birds migrate in a broad-front fashion between breeding and nonbreeding grounds along relatively well-documented corridors, stopping for periods during these migrations to rest and replenish fuel stores (Gauthreaux 1991, Able 2004, Liechti et al 2013. At this broad spatial scale (macroscale of 100s of km), directionality of migration movements are predictable (Mabey 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…At this broad spatial scale (macroscale of 100s of km), directionality of migration movements are predictable (Mabey 2004). The site-specific timing and spatial patterns of movements of migratory birds at individual locations (microscale of 1-10 km) along these corridors are less understood, particularly because variation in weather and topography can influence these patterns (Mabey 2004, Liechti et al 2013, Pocewicz et al 2013. Understanding movement patterns on these smaller microscales, though, is required to identify whether anthropogenic developments, such as wind installations or other tall structures built along migration corridors, can lead to migratory disruption or collision risk.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Flight altitudes generally peak early in the evening and are typically higher than those observed later in the evening/ early morning (Mabee et al 2006); this altitudinal profile of nocturnal migrants during a night, though, is influenced by topography and wind (Bruderer 1997). Because of the lower flight altitudes relative to ground level imposed on birds when moving over mountain ranges, migrants can be exposed to terrain forced winds that may oppose the principal direction of migration (Bruderer 1997, Liechti et al 2013). Under such conditions, the flight paths of migrants may be scattered and subject to topographic features and structures on the landscape (Mabey 2004), further adding to the unpredictable patterns of microscale movement.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Avoidance behavior by nocturnal migrants will strongly influence the mortality rates observed at wind energy projects (Chamberlain et al 2006), but the scale of avoidance to wind turbines for nocturnally migrating birds is almost unknown (Liechti et al 2013). Two levels of magnitude are expected for the avoidance of wind turbines: (1) macroscale avoidance where birds alter their flight path to circumnavigate an entire wind energy installation; and (2) microscale avoidance where birds alter their flight movements while they are passing within the boundaries of a wind energy installation (Marques et al 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Comparing pre- versus postoperational movement of nocturnal migrants around a wind energy facility in northeast British Columbia, Canada

d'Entremont¹,

Hartley²,

Otter³

2017

ACE

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[2011][2012]. Data was collected during the peak periods of spring and fall passerine migration in each year. We measured bearing and altitude of nocturnal migrants, as well as the average number of migrants flying in the airspace closest to the wind turbines. Using weather data on wind direction and strength during the periods of monitored migration, we calculated flow-assistance of wind in aiding migration.Although there was greater flow-assistance to movement in spring over fall migration, we did not find a significant difference between the preoperational and operational periods in flow-assisted flight. The altitude at which migrants flew did differ with development phase of the wind facility; migrants flew at higher altitudes during years when the turbines were operational compared to preoperational years. Although the proportion of migrants detected in the airspace 0-150 m above ground level (agl), coinciding with turbine height, did not differ with season or operational phase of the installation, there was a reduction in the proportion of migrants in the airspace just above turbines (151-300 m agl) when turbines were operational. In general, though, the overall altitudes used by migrants were typically higher than turbine height, so the adjustments we documented would only further reduce what appear to be already low levels of collision risk at this particular facility. We discuss possible reasons why this facility appeared to induce low collision risk to migrants, and how this might inform siting decisions of other wind facilities. Comparaison des déplacements d'oiseaux migrateurs nocturnes avant et après la construction d'un parc d'éoliennes dans le nord-est de la Colombie-Britannique, CanadaRÉSUMÉ. Nous avons utilisé deux radars de navigation maritime, à tableau ouvert et pouvant enregistrer des données, afin de suivre les microdéplacements d'oiseaux migrateurs nocturnes sur le site d'un projet de parc d'éoliennes dans le nord-est de la ColombieBritannique en périodes préopérationnelle (2008-2010) et opérationnelle (2011-2012). Les données ont été récoltées durant les périodes de pointe de la migration des passereaux au printemps et à l'automne chaque année. Nous avons mesuré la position et l'altitude des migrateurs nocturnes, et le nombre moyen de migrateurs volant dans l'espace aérien le plus près des éoliennes. Au moyen de données météorologiques sur la direction et la force du vent durant les périodes de migration suivies, nous avons calculé l'apport du vent pour faciliter la migration. Même si l'apport du vent était plus élevé pour les déplacements au printemps qu'à l'automne, nous n'avons pas trouvé de différence significative pour les déplacements facilités par le vent entre les périodes préopérationnelle et opérationnelle. L'altitude à laquelle les migrateurs ont volé a varié pendant la construction du parc d'éoliennes; les migrateurs ont volé à des altitudes plus élevées durant les années où les éoliennes étaient en opération comparativement aux années preopérationnelles. Même si la proportio...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Comparing pre- versus postoperational movement of nocturnal migrants around a wind energy facility in northeast British Columbia, Canada

d'Entremont¹,

Hartley²,

Otter³

2017

ACE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Consistency of spatio‐temporal patterns of avian migration across the Swiss lowlands

Tschanz

Pellissier

Shi

et al. 2019

Remote Sens Ecol Conserv

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Each year, billions of birds migrate across the continents by day and night through airspaces increasingly altered by human activity, resulting in the deaths of millions of birds every year through collisions with man‐made structures. To reduce these negative impacts on wildlife, forecasts of high migration intensities are needed to apply mitigation actions. While existing weather radar networks offer a unique possibility to monitor and forecast bird migration at large spatial scales, forecasts at the fine spatial scale within a complex terrain, such as the mountainous Swiss landscape, require a small‐scale network of ornithological radars. Before attempting to build such a network, it is crucial to first investigate the consistency of the migratory flow across space and time. In this study, we simultaneously operated three ornithological radar systems across the Swiss lowlands to assess the spatio‐temporal consistency of diurnal and nocturnal bird movements during the spring and autumn migration season. The relative temporal course of migration intensities was generally consistent between sites during peak migration, in particular for nocturnal movements in autumn, but absolute intensities differed greatly between sites. Outside peak migration, bird movement patterns were much less consistent and, unexpectedly, some presumably non‐migratory bird activity achieved intensities close to peak migration intensities, but without spatial correlations. Only nocturnal migration intensity in autumn could be predicted with consistently high accuracy, but including parameters of atmospheric conditions in the model improved predictability of diurnal movements considerably. Predictions for spring were less reliable, probably because we missed an important part of the migration season. Our results show that reliable forecasts of bird movements within a complex terrain call for a network of year‐round bird monitoring systems, whereas accurate information of atmospheric conditions can help to limit the number of measurement points.

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High‐intensity bird migration along Alpine valleys calls for protective measures against anthropogenically induced avian mortality

Hirschhofer,

Liechti,

Ranacher

et al. 2024

Remote Sens Ecol Conserv

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The Alps are a natural barrier for avian broad‐front migration in Central Europe. While most birds that approach the Alps are deflected and circumvent the mountains, some choose to make the crossing. Here, they are funnelled and channelled in valleys, leading to high bird densities. Many Alpine valleys are suitable locations for wind farms, potentially creating a conflict between wind energy production and bird conservation. Collisions can be reduced by temporarily shutting down wind turbines. This however requires timely coordination, either by locally monitoring migration intensity or by extrapolating and forecasting migratory fluxes from other sites. However, little is known about the timing and intensity of bird migration in valleys of the central Alps, especially during spring migration. This study presents a 2‐year quantification of avian migration across the Alps. We collected terrestrial radar data at three sites: two located in Alpine valleys and one in the lowland, close to the northern foothills of the Alps. We found high migration traffic rates (MTR) during both migration seasons in the Alpine valleys, with outstanding numbers of migrants during the spring season. The strong alignment of the flight directions with the main orientation of alpine valleys highlights the importance of valleys and the connected passes in channelling migratory fluxes through the Alps. However, extrapolating migration intensities and forecasting peak migration events for inner Alpine sites is difficult, likely due to how migratory patterns and activity are influenced by the complexity of the local topography and the associated dynamic wind and weather conditions. Instead, we call for year‐round on‐site monitoring of migration intensities and strategies tailored to the local context to reduce the risk of bird strikes at wind turbines in the Alps.

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Modelling the spatial concentrations of bird migration to assess conflicts with wind turbines

Cited by 42 publications

References 26 publications

Comparing pre- versus postoperational movement of nocturnal migrants around a wind energy facility in northeast British Columbia, Canada

Comparing pre- versus postoperational movement of nocturnal migrants around a wind energy facility in northeast British Columbia, Canada

Consistency of spatio‐temporal patterns of avian migration across the Swiss lowlands

High‐intensity bird migration along Alpine valleys calls for protective measures against anthropogenically induced avian mortality

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