Comparison of Avian Responses to UV-Light-Reflective Paint on Wind Turbines: Subcontract Report, July 1999--December 2000

Young, David P.; Erickson, Wallace P.; Strickland, M. Dale; Good, Rhett E.; Sernka, Karyn J.

doi:10.2172/15003047

Cited by 23 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 29 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The effect of the colour selection on bird and bat mortality was not stated to have been considered in this case. To date, there has been one notable study to investigate effects of turbine colour, by Young et al (2000), with regard to painting turbines with ultraviolet (UV) reflective paint as a visual warning for birds. The results indicated an increase in the number of avian fatalities around UV painted turbines (68% at UV turbines; 15% at non-UV turbines).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Insect attraction to wind turbines: does colour play a role?

2010

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The phenomenon of wildlife mortality at wind turbine installations has been generating increasing concern, both for the continued development of the wind industry and for local ecology. While an increase in aerial insectivore activity in the vicinity resulting from insect attraction to turbines remains a strong possibility, little research exists on the possible causes for such events. In this paper, the relative attraction of a selection of specific turbine colours and other hues is assessed in order to determine if turbine paint colour could be influencing insect numbers at these installations. The common turbine colours 'pure white' (RAL 9010) and 'light grey' (RAL 7035) were among those found to attract significantly more insects than other colours tested, suggesting colour may well have a role to play in potential mitigation.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Insect attraction to wind turbines: does colour play a role?

2010

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…However, when the light is allowed to reflect off the surface of the turbine blades, e.g. using a UV-reflective coating (Young et al 2003), it is possible that this would extend the range of the deterring effect, compared to this experiment that used an isolated lamp.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Do birds in flight respond to (ultra)violet lighting?

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Concerns for bird collisions with wind turbines affect the deployment of onshore and offshore windpower plants. To avoid delays in consenting processes and to streamline the construction and operation phase, functional mitigation measures are required which efficiently reduces bird mortality. Vision is the primary sensory system in birds, which for a number of species also includes the ultraviolet spectrum. Many bird species that are known to collide with offshore wind turbines are sensitive in the violet or ultraviolet spectrum. For species that are mainly active at lower ambient light levels, lighting may deter birds from the lit area. Utilizing (ultra)violet lights may in addition not disturb humans. However, we do not know whether UV-sensitive birds in flight actually respond behaviourally to UV lights. Methods:We therefore tested the efficacy of two types of lights within the violet (400 nm) and ultraviolet (365 nm) spectrum to deter birds from the lit area. These lights were placed vertically and monitored continuously between dusk and dawn using an avian radar system. Results:Relative to control nights, bird flight activity (abundance) was 27% lower when the ultraviolet light was on. Violet light resulted in a 12% decrease in overall abundance, and in addition, a vertical displacement was seen, increasing the average flight altitude by 7 m. Although temporal changes occurred, this effect persisted over the season below 40 m above sea level. Conclusions:Although the results from this pilot study are promising, we argue there still is a long way to go before a potentially functional design to mitigate collisions that has proven to be effective in situ may be in place.

show abstract

“…The standardization of these study durations will inform and validate pre‐construction risk assessments, and can further elucidate factors such as the Barrier Effect (an effect of birds altering their migratory flyways or local flight paths to avoid wind farms, Drewitt and Langston 2006) in the Tier 4 stage of the Guidelines.Standardized comparisons of predicted risk forecasts with post‐construction impacts will inform development of fair criteria for mitigation measures and adaptive management. Nowhere has measuring the effects of mitigation for breeding and winter resident birds been more thoroughly tested than at the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area (APWRA; Young et al 2003, Smallwood and Thelander 2004, Smallwood et al 2009). Measurements specific to resident and migratory bats have been conducted in Alberta, Canada (Baerwald et al 2009) and Pennsylvania, USA (Arnett et al 2010).…”

Section: Research Prioritiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, short‐term curtailment of turbine operations during peak migration and/or high‐risk weather conditions should be a component of adaptive management for projects built in high risk locations. Other mitigation strategies have been inconclusive or unsuccessful (e.g., ultraviolet paint on turbine blades, Young et al 2003; industrial application of lab‐tested motion‐smear painting schemes, Hodos 2003). Post‐construction mitigation could help alleviate negative effects in turbine micro‐siting or operation not successfully identified in pre‐construction research (Anderson et al 1999, Horn et al 2008, Arnett et al 2010).…”

Section: Research Prioritiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Standardized comparisons of predicted risk forecasts with post‐construction impacts will inform development of fair criteria for mitigation measures and adaptive management. Nowhere has measuring the effects of mitigation for breeding and winter resident birds been more thoroughly tested than at the Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area (APWRA; Young et al 2003, Smallwood and Thelander 2004, Smallwood et al 2009). Measurements specific to resident and migratory bats have been conducted in Alberta, Canada (Baerwald et al 2009) and Pennsylvania, USA (Arnett et al 2010).…”

Section: Research Prioritiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Research priorities for wind energy and migratory wildlife

Piorkowski

Farnsworth

Fry³

et al. 2011

J Wildl Manag

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

With upcoming global wind‐energy build‐out estimated in millions of units, cumulative environmental impacts must be considered and understood to promote responsible expansion of this renewable energy source. In June 2009, 30 wildlife scientists convened in Racine, Wisconsin, USA to identify key research priorities concerning wind energy's potential impacts on migratory wildlife (birds and bats). This working group suggested 4 areas where improved science is most needed to evaluate the impacts of wind‐energy development on migrating animals more accurately than can be accomplished today: 1) standardized protocols and definitions; 2) new methods and models for assessing and forecasting risk; 3) documenting lethal and sub‐lethal effects at existing wind facilities; and 4) improved facility‐site access, data access, and data management for researchers. Focused research based on these priorities will both quantify potential risks associated with wind‐energy development and help derive science‐based, peer‐reviewed, best‐management practices for existing and future wind projects. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.

show abstract

Comparison of Avian Responses to UV-Light-Reflective Paint on Wind Turbines: Subcontract Report, July 1999--December 2000

Cited by 23 publications

References 29 publications

Insect attraction to wind turbines: does colour play a role?

Insect attraction to wind turbines: does colour play a role?

Do birds in flight respond to (ultra)violet lighting?

Research priorities for wind energy and migratory wildlife

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About