Avian Monitoring and Mortality Report at the National Wind Technology Center: January 2010 - February 2011

Abstract

to conduct avian monitoring and bird and bat mortality surveys at the National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) in 2010-2011 to quantify local avian use in the NWTC and vicinity and to assess potential impacts to avian and bat species associated with the wind turbines and associated meteorological (met) towers at NWTC. Several different types of wind turbines are present on the NWTC with different capacities for energy production (1 kilowatt-3 megawatts [MW]; varying hub heights and turbine blade lengths) and met towers (guyed and unguyed) that vary in height (9.1-135 meters [m]). Installation of three newer generation, multi-MW wind turbines (large turbines) has raised awareness regarding the potential for wildlife impacts. In a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) review of the large turbine installations, DOE requested monitoring of avian and bat mortality be conducted, so that mitigation measures could be developed if impacts to avian and bat species are observed.