As a subcontractor of the Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research (ZSW) we investigate the flight behaviour of birds in the surrounding of wind turbines (WT). We use radar to register the general flight activity and a laser-range finder as well as GPS-transmitters to collect data on the individual flight activity of Red Kites. Based on that we develop measures for the mitigation of bird collisions at WT (e.g. colouring of WT, control of rotor speed) and test their effectivity on the test site. Tests of the effectiveness of technical anti-collision systems are also part of the project.
©
© Janine Aschwanden
Test site with two meteorological masts (pre-construction of wind turbines).
©
© Janine Aschwanden
Radar device (left) for bird migration measurements and ceilometer (right) to collect data on different meteorological parameters (e.g. vertical visibility).
©
© Janine Aschwanden
Laser-range finder on a tripod for manual 3D-tracking of flight trajectories.
©
© Janine Aschwanden
Capture facility consisting of a mist net (in the back) and the Eagle Owl to attract Red Kites for capture and taging.
©
© Janine Aschwanden
GPS-transmitter on the back of a Red Kite.
©
© Janine Aschwanden
Mast with sensors to collect data on meteorological parameters at different heights above ground level.
©
© Janine Aschwanden
Anti-collision system BPS.
©
© Herbert Stark
Anti-collision system IdentiFlight.
©
© Janine Aschwanden
Test site with four meteorological masts and the two research wind turbines (Phase 2, after construction)
©
© Janine Aschwanden
Anti-collision system BirdRecorder.
©
© Janine Aschwanden
©
© Janine Aschwanden
©
© Janine Aschwanden
©
© Janine Aschwanden
©
© Janine Aschwanden
©
© Janine Aschwanden
©
© Janine Aschwanden
©
© Herbert Stark
©
© Janine Aschwanden
©
© Janine Aschwanden
Test site with two meteorological masts (pre-construction of wind turbines).
Radar device (left) for bird migration measurements and ceilometer (right) to collect data on different meteorological parameters (e.g. vertical visibility).
Laser-range finder on a tripod for manual 3D-tracking of flight trajectories.
Capture facility consisting of a mist net (in the back) and the Eagle Owl to attract Red Kites for capture and taging.
GPS-transmitter on the back of a Red Kite.
Mast with sensors to collect data on meteorological parameters at different heights above ground level.
Anti-collision system BPS.
Anti-collision system IdentiFlight.
Test site with four meteorological masts and the two research wind turbines (Phase 2, after construction)
Anti-collision system BirdRecorder.
NatForWINSENT: Nature conservation research on the wind energy test site
Flight behaviour of birds in the surrounding of wind turbines and collision protection based on technical mitigation measures
Domain
Research
Unit
Bird Migration
Topics
Birds and Human Beings
Habitat
alpine habitats, farmland, forest, meadows and pastures, rivers & streams, rocky terrain, semi-open farmland, settlements, wasteland, wetlands
Project start
2019
Project status
ongoing
Project management
Janine Aschwanden
Project region
Europe
Details
Project objectives
Methodology
Data on the flight behaviour of birds in general and of individual Red Kites is collected pre- and after the construction of wind turbines using radar, a laser-range finder and GPS-transmitters to compare the use of airspace in both situations. Meteorological parameters (e.g. horizontal and vertical visibility) which are measured on the test site are also included in the analyses. Based on the same data, anti-collision systems are tested, and experiments are carried out to investigate the effectivity of mitigation measures like e.g. the colouring of wind turbines or control of rotor speed.
Significance
One of numerous causes of death in birds are collisions at wind turbines. For the mitigation of conflicts, techniques based on demand solutions are wanted to avoid blanket curtailments (e.g. during the whole breeding season of a bird species). The project NatForWINSENT uniquely allows intervening into operation and appearance of wind turbines to conduct systematic experiments. Furthermore, the test site offers an optimal environment for systematic tests of commercial anti-collision systems which promise to be suitable for protection against bird collision.
Results
In phase 1 (pre-construction), data on the current state of local flight movements (habitat use) and of flight parameters (e.g. altitude and speed) depending on weather were investigated. The mean speed of Red Kites was 27.2 km/h (± 12.6 km/h) and increased with flight altitude. The influence of weather was weak. The flight activity decreased with increasing bad weather conditions (rain, fog). Flight altitudes were lower during strong wind/wet conditions compared to weak wind/dry conditions. Two different anti-collision systems were tested (BPS of Bioseco und IdentiFlight®).
Project partner(s)
Financial support
Employees
Unit
Bird Migration
We research migratory birds from their breeding grounds to Africa and lay the foundations for their protection beyond national borders.
