Operational offshore wind farms and associated ship traffic cause profound changes in distribution patterns of Loons (Gavia spp.)

Common Guillemots and offshore wind farms: an ecological discussion of statistical analyses conducted by Alain F. Zuur

“…A recent study on displacement in divers (Gavia sp.) by Mendel et al (2019) showed "profound changes in distribution patterns of these birds (mainly red-throated divers (Gavia stellata)". Other seabirds, such as northern gannets (Morus bassanus), may also be easier displaced by offshore wind farms than the common guillemot (Dierschke et al 2016).…”

Assessing the cumulative adverse effects of offshore wind energy development on seabird foraging guilds along the East Coast of the United States

“…Offshore wind farms are documented to affect species within Tier 1 guilds. Coastal bottom gleaners are consistently identified as being vulnerable to displacement due to avoidance behaviors, which could lead to effective habitat loss (Desholm and Kahlert 2005, Furness et al 2013, Petersen et al 2014, Dierschke et al 2016, Mendel et al 2019; although the effects of habitat loss on populations levels are difficult to determine (Mendel et al 2019). Some coastal diver species are vulnerable to displacement and others are vulnerable to collision: red-throated loons are documented to be permanently displaced by wind farms (Percival 2010, Lindeboom et al 2011, Mendel et al 2019; Common Loons are predicted to have high displacement vulnerability (Furness et al 2013); and Double-crested Cormorants may be vulnerable to collision because the birds are attracted to wind farms (Krijgsveld et al 2011, Lindeboom et al 2011.…”

“…Mortality can occur when birds collide with the superstructure or rotors during operation (Drewitt andLangston 2006, Fox et al 2006). Displacement occurs when birds consistently avoid wind farms and has been documented for sea ducks, gannets, auks, geese, and loons (Desholm and Kahlert 2005, Larsen and Guillemette 2007, Percival 2010, Lindeboom et al 2011, Plonczkier and Simms 2012, Langston 2013, Garthe et al 2017, Mendel et al 2019. This displacement reduces potential mortalities, but birds that consistently avoid wind farms can experience effective habitat loss, which may negatively affect their fitness (Drewitt and Langston 2006, Masden et al 2009, Langston 2013, Petersen et al 2014.…”

The consequences of seabird habitat loss from offshore wind turbines, version 2 : Displacement and population level effects in 5 selected species

“…That survey data are missing from the ESAS database is evident based on habitat model analysis from different countries (see e.g. Evans et al 2018;Mendel et al 2019). Moreover, much of the national survey effort, including in The Netherlands, has been directed towards national waters.…”