[RE-wrenches] Wind Turbines killing birds and bats

[bob ellison]

Drake,

There is nothing to it that is documented and recent. There were some
problems years ago (20 - 30) due to tower design and poor placement.

The towers are a different design and it was never a serious issue in any
case. Years ago the towers were a freestanding design with many places to
perch and look for game to pick off for lunch. Rotor diameter is also
considerably larger and slower now. Something like 20 rpm vs. 200 rpm. I
have watched black birds chase a hawk through the sweeping rotor for 10 -15
minutes, no problems. It might have been the hawk leading the black birds
through the rotor. Either way it was fun and fascinating to watch! I think I
videotaped it but it was years ago and I have no idea where it might be.

My house windows, cat and car get MANY more birds than my turbine ever has.
The cat and car do fairly well, when birds fly into the windows it is loud
and not good for the birds at all. I have never found a dead bird under any
of the turbines that I service.

I did find a dead bird in its nest that was inside a nacelle once, it was
uninjured and just dead, no sign that it was damaged at all. 

 

There is all kinds of misleading stuff like those links out there, it's just
not accurate and done by the anti wind folks.

 

Hope this helps,

Bob Ellison

 

From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Drake
Sent: Thursday, June 21, 2012 6:18 PM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Wind Turbines killing birds and bats

 

Hello Wrenches, 

A very knowledgeable friend has concern about wind turbines killing birds
and bats, and sent me these links.  From previous posts on this list and
information I've heard elsewhere, I thought this really wasn't much of an
issue, more of a red herring by those who are opposed to wind energy.

http://www.batsandwind.org/pdf/baerwald%20et%20al%20current%20biology%202008
.pdf 
http://coalicionventanasverraco.org/files/horn_et_al_2008.pdf
http://www.batsandwind.org/main.asp?page=research
<http://www.batsandwind.org/main.asp?page=research&sub=operational>
&sub=operational 
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090928095347.htm

http://www.abcbirds.org/abcprograms/policy/collisions/pdf/wind_rulemaking_pe
tition.pdf 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_impact_of_wind_power


How much of an issue is this really?  Can we put the danger into
perspective?  Does this kill more bats and birds than the pollution it
displaces?  

Thanks,

Drake 



Drake Chamberlin         
ATHENS ELECTRIC LLC
OH License 44810        
CO license 3773
NABCEP Certified PV

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