Avian collision risk at an offshore wind farm

Desholm, Mark; Kahlert, Johnny

doi:10.1098/rsbl.2005.0336

Cited by 213 publications

(197 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Wind energy is a recent phenomenon and only a few studies have been conducted regarding offshore wind parks (Larsson 1994;Guillemette, Larsen & Clausager 1998;Guillemette & Larsen 2002;Desholm & Kalhert 2005). Many studies have addressed the possible impacts on birds of onshore wind parks (reviewed by Langston & Pullan 2003) but the findings from these studies cannot simply be extended to an offshore scenario because different species will be impacted.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of wind turbines on flight behaviour of wintering common eiders: implications for habitat use and collision risk

Larsen¹,

Guillemette²

2007

Journal of Applied Ecology

106

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Summary 1.Wind energy is a fast-growing renewable energy source and many offshore wind parks will be erected in shallow waters (< 40 m deep) where various coastal bird species are found. The two main issues regarding offshore wind farms and birds are disturbance and collision risk. We studied the effect of wind turbines on the flight behaviour of wintering common eiders Somateria mollissima in order to identify the properties that cause disturbance and the factors that may increase their risk of collision. 2. The study was conducted at Tunø Knob offshore wind park in the Kattegat, Denmark. We attracted birds though the use of decoys located at increasing distances from the wind park. To discriminate between the potential disturbance effect of the standing towers from that of the revolving rotor blades, wind turbines were switched on or off alternately during 10 experimental trials. 3. Common eiders reacted strongly to the presence of wind turbines. The number of flying birds was significantly related to flight corridor location and position of the decoy group. That behavioural reaction was interpreted to be a consequence of their high speed and low-manoeuvrability flight occurring within the vertical height range of the wind turbines. The number of landing birds also reacted to the position of the decoy group in relation to proximity to the turbines, with the greatest effects observed within the wind park. Such avoidance behaviour might decrease use of otherwise suitable habitat. 4. The movement and noise of rotors affected neither the number of common eiders flying within corridors nor the number of birds reacting to decoys. This suggests that the avoidance behaviour observed was caused by the presence of the structures themselves and that eiders use vision when avoiding human-made structures. 5. Synthesis and applications . This study has demonstrated that common eiders avoid flying close to or into the Tunø Knob wind park. This behaviour may result in a reduction in habitat availability within and around wind parks, and raises concerns about the possible impact of the extensive development of large-scale wind parks in shallow offshore waters, which are the main feeding areas for sea ducks and other marine birds. Our results indicate that the disturbance effect of revolving rotor blades is negligible during daylight hours but highlights the need for studies to be carried out during hours of darkness and conditions of poor visibility (e.g. fog and snow). Until more insight is gained, we recommend caution when planning wind parks in areas of high sea duck densities.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of wind turbines on flight behaviour of wintering common eiders: implications for habitat use and collision risk

Larsen¹,

Guillemette²

2007

Journal of Applied Ecology

106

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“…These studies have shown that the environmental effects of properly sited, executed, and operated wind projects are, as a general rule, low level (18). For example, fatality rates of birds are lower than might have been anticipated given avoidance behavior (19), and impacts on dolphins and porpoises have been identified as being more of a short-term nature than resulting in long-term consequences (20)(21)(22). In light of the European findings, and given that electricity generated by wind power displaces fossil fuel generation (23), it is perhaps unsurprising that organizations, such as the National Wildlife Federation and Massachusetts Audubon, support offshore wind power.…”

Section: Research Requiredmentioning

confidence: 99%

The time has come for offshore wind power in the United States

Firestone

Archer

Gardner

et al. 2015

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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“…Radar studies undertaken at several offshore wind farms document a substantial avian avoidance response, with the birds modifying their flight trajectories to avoid the turbines and therefore reducing the risk of collision [43] (see Figure 3). Species such as common eider Somateria mollissima modified their flight trajectories at an average distance of 3km from the Nysted offshore wind farm (Denmark) during daylight (less by night) compared to pre-construction flight patterns [43,44].…”

Section: Sea Birdsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Species such as common eider Somateria mollissima modified their flight trajectories at an average distance of 3km from the Nysted offshore wind farm (Denmark) during daylight (less by night) compared to pre-construction flight patterns [43,44]. At the Tunø Knob offshore wind park in the Kattergat (Denmark), Larsen and Guillemette [45] found that common eiders mostly avoided flying close to and within the wind park and that this avoidance was caused not by the action of the rotors but by the presence of the turbine structure themselves.…”

Section: Sea Birdsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coastal and Offshore Wind Energy Generation: Is It Environmentally Benign?

et al. 2010

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Offshore and coastal wind power is one of the fastest growing industries in many areas, especially those with shallow coastal regions due to the preferable generation conditions available in the regions. As with any expanding industry, there are concerns regarding the potential environmental effects which may be caused by the installation of the offshore wind turbines and their associated infrastructure, including substations and subsea cables. These include the potential impacts on the biological, physical and human environments. This review discusses in detail the potential impacts arising from offshore wind farm construction, and how these may be quantified and addressed through the use of conceptual models. It concludes that while not environmentally benign, the environmental impacts are minor and can be mitigated through good siting practices. In addition, it suggests that there are opportunities for environmental benefits through habitat creation and conservation protection areas.

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Avian collision risk at an offshore wind farm

Cited by 213 publications

References 5 publications

Effects of wind turbines on flight behaviour of wintering common eiders: implications for habitat use and collision risk

Effects of wind turbines on flight behaviour of wintering common eiders: implications for habitat use and collision risk

The time has come for offshore wind power in the United States

Coastal and Offshore Wind Energy Generation: Is It Environmentally Benign?

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