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Post by hoopoe on Jul 2, 2013 20:39:20 GMT -6
Videos of birds colliding with the blades of a wind turbine have been circulating on the web and are sickening to watch. After viewing these collisions many are calling for the end to wind power development. The problem with this reaction, which is based on emotion, is that it ignores the fact that many more birds are killed by cars and many more die from collisions with windows, yet no one advocates the elimination of cars nor buildings with no windows.
Given the number of birds that are killed, directly or indirectly, through the production of gas and coal, wind power is much less destructive to birds and the environment in general.
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Post by asilidman on Jul 3, 2013 10:19:53 GMT -6
Years ago we were driving up I5 in California's interior valley heading to the Bay Area at Xmas. I remember looking at the windmills and wondering how many eagles and hawks they might be killing along the hilltops(and feeling a little guilty that I thought they were beautiful to watch). I think that bird/windmill collisions is something that is monitored pretty carefully so someone at least knows the numbers involved.
Then we started seeing dead Barn Owls along the road. After a while when we realised we were seeing a lot of dead owls I started counting. When I got to 115 dead Barn Owls I couldn't take it any more and shut my eyes for the rest of our travel on I5. I imagine that they were drawn to the roads for the rodents which were there because, in that valley of intense agriculture and pesticide use, it was the only area of undisturbed grass. I doubt that that carnage was being monitored very closely.
Cheryl
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Post by Admin on Jul 4, 2013 8:35:31 GMT -6
Years ago we were driving up I5 in California's interior valley heading to the Bay Area at Xmas. I remember looking at the windmills and wondering how many eagles and hawks they might be killing along the hilltops(and feeling a little guilty that I thought they were beautiful to watch). I think that bird/windmill collisions is something that is monitored pretty carefully so someone at least knows the numbers involved. Then we started seeing dead Barn Owls along the road. After a while when we realised we were seeing a lot of dead owls I started counting. When I got to 115 dead Barn Owls I couldn't take it any more and shut my eyes for the rest of our travel on I5. I imagine that they were drawn to the roads for the rodents which were there because, in that valley of intense agriculture and pesticide use, it was the only area of undisturbed grass. I doubt that that carnage was being monitored very closely. Cheryl WOW, Cheryl! Years ago, LaDonna and I drove that same road and stopped counting at 100 dead Barn Owls. We were ASTOUNDED. It was really sad. Jack is right, the number of birds killed by wind turbines pales in comparison to the number of deaths from autos and window strikes. |
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Post by rollingrfarm on Jul 16, 2013 14:11:05 GMT -6
Add to that collisions with powerlines as well as electrocutions from powerlines and transformers. The USFWS is considering asking wind farms to mitigate the damage they cause by retrofitting powerlines to prevent the mortality they cause raptors.
When I was flying a Harris Hawk, I contacted First Electric and had them retrofit 3 transformers on and around my farm. They have the devices, but not the time or incentive to install them.
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Post by asilidman on Jul 16, 2013 14:21:12 GMT -6
Go for it USFWS I say !! I wonder how the numbers compare, wind turbine strikes versus powerline kills ? (maybe they could leave some poles for perches!)
Cheryl
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Post by rollingrfarm on Jul 16, 2013 15:10:40 GMT -6
I don't think anyone really knows, the numbers. The poles will not change but different types of insulators and insulations will be done to prevent electrocution. As for powerline strikes, I would guess in areas where strikes are a significant prpoblem and the orange balls on the lines are not a deterrent, they may have to put segments underground which is $$$$$
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