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Black Paint Slashes Bird Deaths at Wind Farms
16 Oct
Summary
- Turbine towers, not just blades, pose collision risks.
- Painting tower bases black significantly reduced bird deaths.
- Further testing needed to confirm wider applicability.
A recent study published in Ecology and Evolution has identified wind turbine towers themselves as a significant hazard to birds, a risk previously overlooked in favor of focusing on rotating blades.
Researchers at Norway's Smøla wind-power plant observed that injured willow ptarmigan carcasses were frequently found near the base of turbines, indicating collisions with the structure. This observation was supported by data showing that these birds often fly at low altitudes, overlapping with the turbine tower's height.
To test a potential solution, researchers painted the lower 10 meters of several turbine towers black. This increased contrast aimed to make the structures more visible to low-flying birds.
Subsequent analysis revealed a substantial decrease: recorded ptarmigan carcasses per search dropped by 48.2% at painted turbines compared to unpainted controls. Carcasses were also found farther from the treated towers.
While this finding offers a promising method to reduce bird deaths without altering electricity generation, the study authors stress that more extensive testing is required. The results are based on one Norwegian wind farm and one species, and the effectiveness across different locations and avian populations remains to be confirmed.
