Presence of Wind FarmsNot Detrimental to Many Bird Species

Wind turbines do not adversely affect most species of birds in agricultural areas, according to a new study in Britain. Researchers from Newcastle University found that — in contrast to raptors, which often suffer high mortality from collisions with turbine blades — smaller bird species that nest and live near wind farms do just fine. In the study, published in the Journal of Applied Ecology, the researchers made 11 detailed bird surveys near two wind farms in East Anglia. Birds were surveyed 150 meters from the wind farms and 750 meters from the installations, and the results showed that species living near the turbines fared as well those farther away. Among the species surveyed were the Eurasian tree sparrow, the corn bunting, yellowhammer, and the common reed bunting. The only species whose numbers declined near the turbines was pheasants. Several studies have shown that spinning turbine blades kill a higher percentage of raptors than smaller birds., and scientists recommend wind farms not be built along raptor migration routes.