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Papers

BTO publishes peer-reviewed papers in a wide range of scientific journals, both independently and with our partners. If you are unable to access a scientific paper by a BTO author, please contact us.

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Avian vulnerability to wind farm collision through the year: insights from Lesser Black-backed Gulls (Larus fuscus) tracked from multiple breeding colonies

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Published: 2019

New BTO research shows that Lesser Black-backed Gulls are vulnerable to collisions with wind turbines whilst on migration and during the winter months, as well as during the breeding season. Wind turbines both on and offshore are becoming ever more prevalent as governments worldwide seek to tackle carbon emissions. It is important to understand how these structures might affect wildlife. In this study, BTO researchers fitted state-of-the art GPS tags to Lesser Black-backed Gulls breeding at three major UK colonies in order to track their movements throughout the year. By combining the data from the tags with information on wind turbine locations they were able to establish how vulnerable this species might be to collisions. The GPS devices recorded how fast and how high birds fly, as well as the time birds spent in particular areas. This information was used to estimate the risk of birds colliding with wind turbines when flying at altitudes swept by the turbines’ blades. The results showed that Lesser Black-backed Gulls are vulnerable during the breeding season, when birds are tied to feeding areas close to their colonies, many of which are also in the vicinity of wind farms. Furthermore, birds were also found to be at risk once the breeding season is over and they disperse south to Spain, Portugal and north Africa, where they overwinter. Galicia in northern Spain stood out as a place in which birds were vulnerable on migration, as this region contains a high density of wind turbines, and is a major stopping over destination for the Lesser Black-backed Gull and many other migratory species. Further south, Lisbon and Malaga, where many Lesser Black-backed Gulls spend the winter, were also sites in which birds were vulnerable to collisions. The results are the first to show where and when birds from specific breeding colonies may be most vulnerable across their annual life cycle, and could be useful in helping to identify where best to site new wind farms to minimise potential harm to wildlife.

10.09.19

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