Avian electrocution rates associated with density of active small mammal holes and power-pole mitigation: Implications for the conservation of Threatened raptors in Mongolia

Dixon, Andrew; Rahman, Lutfor; Galtbalt, Batbayar; Gunga, Amarkhuu; Sugarsaikhan, Batkhuu; Batbayar, Nyambayar

doi:10.1016/j.jnc.2017.01.001

Cited by 18 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…The number of active small mammal holes counted in the year prior to the trial was associated with electrocution rates, probably because these were either a good proxy measure for small mammal abundance or because predatory birds used holes as an indicator of rodent abundance (Dixon et al ). Large birds of prey can use power poles as hunting perches, and might be expected to perch more frequently at poles in localities with, or indications of, greater prey abundance (Prather and Messmer ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We further included 26 anchor poles in our trial, all of which had previously been reconfigured so that the jumper wires on phases 2 and 3 passed underneath the cross‐arm via a suspended insulator rather than above the cross‐arm via a pin insulator (Dixon et al ). We fitted an insulator cap and flexible‐nylon‐hose conductor cover to the phase‐1 jumper wires at the top of 8 randomly allocated anchor poles, while the jumper wires connected to pin insulators of the other 18 anchor poles were left uninsulated as controls (Fig.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We used break‐point analysis in the Program R package ‘segmented’ to define sections of line where hole density differed (Muggeo ). Break‐point analysis identified 4 spatially discrete sections of line with low (

\overset{x}{true}

= 0.8 holes/pole) or high (

\overset{x}{true}

= 6.8 holes/pole) hole density (Dixon et al ). Line sections were also allocated sequential numbers and each pole was assigned a section number, depending which section it was in on the line; although sections corresponded to treatment groups, we also analyzed them as a distinct category in order to account for any spatial influence on electrocution rates.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous studies in Mongolia have identified the problem of electrocution as a conservation issue for raptors (Harness et al , Dixon , Purevdorj and Sundev ), quantified electrocution rates and the scale of the problem (Dixon et al , Dixon ), identified factors influencing electrocution rates (Dixon et al ), and assessed the efficacy of mitigation techniques to reduce them (Dixon et al ). Reported electrocution rates of raptors in Mongolia are extremely high because the open steppe landscape is devoid of alternative elevated perches and supports an abundance of small mammal prey whose population densities fluctuate temporally and spatially.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Mitigation techniques to reduce avian electrocution rates

et al. 2019

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From August 2013, we undertook a 1-year trial of mitigation techniques at an electricity power line in the Mongolian steppe with a high avian electrocution rate. We examined 2 mitigation methods at phase-1 conductors on the top of power poles (i.e., reconfiguration of the insulator mount and insulation covers on the conductor wire) and 3 mitigation methods at phase-2 and 3 conductors on pole cross-arms (i.e., perch deflector brushes, rotating-mirror perch deterrents, and insulation covers on the conductor wires). The perch management techniques selected for the trial are currently widely adopted by power line managers in Mongolia. In comparison with the control, with no mitigation, electrocution rates were reduced both by the reconfiguration of insulator mounts and insulation of conductor wires at phase-1, though the reduction was greater for the former-73% mean reduction for reconfigured mounts and 59% for insulation covers. Electrocution rates were reduced by the placement of rotating-mirrors and insulation of conductor wires at phases 2 and 3, with the reduction being greater for the former-91% mean reduction for mirrors and 66% for insulation covers. Deployment of metal perch deflector brushes at phases 2 and 3 had no effect on electrocution rates and should not be used as mitigation. Most electrocutions occurred at phase 1 on the top of the pole, indicating that mitigation should be prioritized at this phase. In terms of cost and efficacy, reconfigured mounts represented the best option as a permanent fix at phase 1. At phases on cross-arms, the relative merits of mirrors and insulation covers need to be assessed over a longer period, and these temporary mitigation measures should be compared with alternative permanent fixes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

\overset{x}{true}

= 0.8 holes/pole) or high (

\overset{x}{true}

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mitigation techniques to reduce avian electrocution rates

et al. 2019

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“…Similar results are reported also in Bulgaria: metal branch poles featuring jumper wires accounted for 54.3% of total detected electrocution mortality (Demerdziev et al 2009). Anchor poles in particular have been shown to pose a significant electrocution risk to birds, particularly due to the configuration of the jumper wires (Dixon et al 2013(Dixon et al , 2017(Dixon et al , Škorpíková et al 2019.…”

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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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Drivers of power line collisions and electrocutions of birds in Nepal

Hamal

Sharma

Gautam

et al. 2023

Ecology and Evolution

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Among the several anthropogenic factors, power lines are increasingly regarded as one of the most significant hazards to bird species, primarily owing to collisions and electrocutions. Nepal has comparatively fewer studies on the impact of power line collisions and electrocution on birds compared with developed nations. From November 2021 to May 2022, we assessed the effect of power line collisions and electrocutions on the mortality of birds in the Putalibazar Municipality of the Syangja district of Nepal. We established 117 circular plots in diverse habitats, including agricultural lands, forests, settlements, and river basins, along a 30.6 km long distribution line. Within 18 plots, we detected 43 fatalities of 11 species (17 individuals of six species due to collision and 26 individuals of eight species due to electrocution). House Swift ( Apus nipalensis ) and Common Myna ( Acridotheres tristis ) were the primary victims of the collision, whereas House Crow ( Corvus splendens ) and Rock Pigeon ( Columba livia ) were frequently observed electrocuted. We also recorded the electrocution of the critically endangered White‐rumped Vulture ( Gyps bengalensis ). The total rate of bird power line collisions per kilometer was 0.55 birds, while the total electrocution rate per 10 poles was 2.22. The bird abundance, distance to agricultural regions, and proximity to human settlements were found to have a strong relationship with the mortality of birds caused by power lines. In order to reduce power line collisions and electrocution fatalities, we recommend conducting a detailed bird population study prior to determining the route of distribution lines.

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Avian electrocution rates associated with density of active small mammal holes and power-pole mitigation: Implications for the conservation of Threatened raptors in Mongolia

Cited by 18 publications

References 22 publications

Mitigation techniques to reduce avian electrocution rates

Mitigation techniques to reduce avian electrocution rates

Comprehensive analysis of bird mortality along power distribution lines in Slovakia

Drivers of power line collisions and electrocutions of birds in Nepal

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