Bird Research: Southern Niagara Wind Resource Area Avian Characterization Study

Objectives of this project are that the information produced by this study will be used to determine whether this site should be considered for windfarm development, develop techniques to minimize bird kills at windfarms, and validate criteria for siting future windfarms in other parts of the state.

Background

As an approach to reducing the adverse impacts of fossil fuel electric power generation, renewable energy sources such as wind power are very promising. However, there is one environmental impact which has been associated with the development of windfarms; mortality of birds, especially raptors, due to collisions with wind turbines and towers and associated structures. This study proposes to characterize avian use of an area in eastern Wisconsin which appears to have good potential for wind energy development.

This same area has high use by birds migrating along the Niagara escarpment and associated with the Horicon Marsh. The goal of this study is to determine the impacts that windfarm development in this area might have and to develop techniques to minimize bird mortality at windfarms.

Identification of bird use in this area will help to make the decision if this area is suitable for windfarm development without major environmental concerns. Data will help design windfarms in this area to avoid potential problems with bird strikes. Criteria developed for siting windfarms in other parts of the state will be tested and validated here to insure that the prosed criteria for windfarm siting does protect birds and still allow windfarm development in safe areas.

For more information on this topic, please contact:
Gerald Bartelt
(608) 221-6344