Bird Movements and Behaviors in the Gulf Coast Region: Relation to Potential Wind-Energy Developments

Canadian Estimate of Bird Mortality Due to Collisions and Direct Habitat Loss Associated with Wind Turbine Developments

“…Raptor mortality rates were particularly high at some early, large-scale wind energy facilities in California, e.g., Altamont (Orloff and Flannery 1992). Although some reports suggest that newer wind facilities are generally associated with lower bird fatality rates (Erickson et al 2001(Erickson et al , 2005, others propose that the more modern turbine designs, with taller towers and larger blade lengths with higher tip speeds, pose higher collision risks (Morrison 2006). For nocturnal migrants, there is little evidence that particular species of birds are more vulnerable than others, and mortality is thought to be proportional to the relative abundance of each species (Drewitt and Langston 2006).…”

Avian Resources of the Northern Gulf of Mexico

“…Condominiums, resorts, casinos, and other commercial and industrial development already characterize large expanses of the northern Gulf Coast. Development of wind energy is ongoing, both nearshore and offshore, and has the potential to disrupt bird migration across the Gulf (Morrison 2006). Thirty-seven percent (37 %) of the population in the Gulf States lives in the Gulf Coast region (Bildstein et al 1991;NOAA 2011).…”

“…These platforms provide habitat for foraging birds that use them as roosting sites or as hunting perches (raptors). However, they also have the potential to disrupt songbird migration, especially for birds leaving the Yucatán Peninsula (Morrison 2006).…”

“…Coordination with Tamaulipas, Mexico is critical for protection of this species; wintering Snowy Plovers use the algal mudflats there, illustrating the importance of the entire Laguna ecosystems (Mabee et al 2001). Morrison et al (2006) reported that the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean race of Snowy Plover is decreasing, and likely was only 1,500 birds, although more were counted on the next census (Table 12.9) (Elliott- ).…”

“…# J. Burger Niven and Butcher (2011) reported that among the 20 species that declined by at least 2 % per year, 13 had the center of their ranges in the Gulf, and four declined in the Gulf, but were increasing elsewhere (Canada Geese [Branta Canadensis], American Wigeon, Bonaparte's Gull, Boat-tailed Grackle). These birds may be moving their wintering ranges farther north with global warming (Withers 2002;Morrison et al 2006). Surprisingly, Canada Geese showed the greatest decline.…”