"The golden eagle fatalities
at this one site have demonstrated consequences that extend across much of the
range of the species across North America," said researcher J. Andrew
DeWoody.
ALTAMONT PASS, Calif., Sept. 29
(UPI) -- New research proves wind turbines aren't just a risk to local birds.
Birds from as far as 100 miles away are getting caught in their blades.
Large birds like golden eagles
are especially prone to collisions with wind turbines. Recently, scientists
with Purdue University and the U.S. Geological Survey monitored the effects of
turbines at Altamont Pass Wind Resource Area in northern California on nearby
golden eagle populations.
With 5,000 turbines, APWRA is one
of the largest wind farms in the world. It's also one of the oldest. The reason
the turbines were placed along Altamont Pass is the same reason why eagles
congregate there.
"Eagles tend to use that
habitat around the turbines. It's windy there, so they can save energy and
soar, and their preferred prey, California ground squirrels, is abundant
there," J. Andrew DeWoody, a Purdue professor of genetics, explained in a news release. "As they soar,
these eagles are often looking straight down, and they fail to see the rapidly
moving turbine blades. They get hit by the blades, and carcasses are found on
the ground under the turbines."
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