Kenyan wind farm could wipe out critically endangered vultures

BirdLife International, Nature Kenya, Kenya Bird of Prey Trust and The Peregrine Fund have collectively expressed concern over a proposal to develop the Kipeto Wind Energy Project, in Kajiado County, Kenya. This is due to the fact that the proposed wind farm will be in close proximity to the nesting sites of two species of Critically Endangered vultures and also close to an important flyway for a vast numbers of migratory birds. 

Just 14 km from Kwenia cliffs – the third largest nesting site of Rüppell’s Vultures in Kenya – and 10 km from the White-backed Vulture colony, these wind turbine blades could severely impact these species, both on the edge of extinction. Recent surveys commissioned by the project developers show that collectively these two colonies regularly hold more than 80 pairs of nesting vultures and that both species frequently fly over and occasionally forage at the proposed wind farm site and would be at risk of colliding with wind turbines. 

The area has already seen the extinction of Endangered Egyptian Vultures, yet it still holds an impressive number of cliff-dwelling large falcons and Verreaux’s Eagles. The project location lies along the north-south ridge of the Rift Valley Escarpment, which is a prime location for migratory species including globally endangered Steppe Eagles as well as Amur Falcons, Eurasian Hobbys, Lesser Kestrels and White Storks. The site is unique for its density of raptors, and deserving of special protection status, particularly in recognition that African Vultures are vitally important “cleaners of the environment” that help prevent the spread of diseases. 

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New administration rule would permit thousands of eagle deaths at wind farms

Published May 04, 2016 

 Associated Press

The Obama administration is revising a federal rule that allows wind-energy companies to operate high-speed turbines for up to 30 years, even if means killing or injuring thousands of federally protected bald and golden eagles.

Under the plan announced Wednesday, companies could kill or injure up to 4,200 bald eagles a year without penalty -- nearly four times the current limit. Golden eagles could only be killed if companies take steps to minimize the losses, for instance, by retrofitting power poles to reduce the risk of electrocution.

Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe said the proposal will "provide a path forward" for maintaining eagle populations while also spurring development of a pollution-free energy source that's intended to ease global warming, a cornerstone of President Barack Obama's energy plan.

Ashe said the 162-page proposal would protect eagles and at the same time "help the country reduce its reliance on fossil fuels" such as coal and oil that contribute to global warming.

"There's a lot of good news in here," Ashe said in an interview, calling the plan "a great tool to work with to further conservation of two iconic species."

The proposal sets objectives for eagle management, addresses how bird populations will be monitored and provides a framework for how the permitting system fits within the agency's overall eagle management, Ashe said.

Wind farms are clusters of turbines as tall as 30-story buildings, with spinning rotors as wide as a passenger jet's wingspan. Blades can reach speeds of up to 170 mph at the tips, creating tornado-like vortexes.

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Wind farm construction 'cuts golden plover numbers by 80%'

15 April 2016

The construction of a wind farm in Sutherland led to an 80% drop in the number of golden plovers in the area, according to a five-year study.

Scientists have now said their research project should be used as the basis for future studies on the effects of wind farms on other bird species.

The study was funded by the Gordonbush site's owners, energy company SSE, and conducted by RSPB Scotland.

SSE said it had tried to minimise any potential risk to golden plovers.

The study monitored golden plover numbers before, during and after construction.

According to the report, the drop in numbers was greater than in areas surrounding the wind farm that were studied over the same period.

Lead researcher Dr Alex Sansom said: "Golden plovers breed in open landscapes and it is likely that the presence of wind turbines in these areas leads to birds avoiding areas around the turbines.

"This study shows that such displacement may cause large declines in bird numbers within wind farms.

"It will be important to examine whether these effects are maintained over the longer term at this site, and we should also use these detailed studies to examine the effects of wind farms on other bird species."

Golden plover, of which there are believed to be between 38,000 and 59,000 breeding pairs in the UK, are protected under the European Birds Directive.

It places "great emphasis on the protection of habitats" for 500 endangered and migratory species across the European Union.

Aedan Smith, head of planning and development for RSPB Scotland, said it was vital that wind farms "like any development, are sited to avoid harming our most important places for wildlife".

Read on ...

BIRD FATALITIES AT WIND FACILITIES CAN BE PREVENTED WITH NEW MODEL, STUDY SAYS

09 JUL 2015: 

The U.S. Geological Survey has developed a new model that it says can help predict and prevent bird fatalities at wind facilities before they are even built. The model takes into account three parameters, all of which can be measured before construction: the total footprint of the turbines, avian traffic near the facility, and collision probability. The model used golden eagles as a case study because their soaring and hunting behaviors make them susceptible to turbine collisions. Golden eagles also are long-lived and reproduce relatively late in life, which means wind farm fatalities could have particularly severe population impacts. For two years, the model successfully estimated eagle collisions at a newly constructed wind facility in Wyoming, the researchers say. “Simplicity is part of what makes the model accessible to others,” said Leslie New, assistant professor of statistics at Washington State University, who led the research project. “It also allows wind facility developers to consider ways to reduce bird fatalities without having to collect a complicated set of data.”

Source ..

PacifiCorp pleads guilty, will pay $2.5M for eagle and other bird deaths at Wyoming wind farms

CHEYENNE, Wyo. - A utility will pay $2.5 million in fines, restitution and community service after pleading guilty to killing golden eagles and other birds at two Wyoming wind farms.

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act violations stem from the deaths of 38 golden eagles and 336 other protected birds at PacifiCorp's Seven Mile Hill and Glenrock/Rolling Hills wind farms in east-central Wyoming.

The company entered the plea Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Wyoming.

The Justice Department and Portland, Oregon-based PacifiCorp announced the agreement Dec. 19. Under the deal, the company agreed to pay fines as well as restitution and community service with a total value of $2.5 million.

- See more at:

Pacificorp guilty in bird deaths

US utility Pacificorp must pay a $2.5m fine on charges related to the deaths of protected birds in Wyoming.

Subsidiary Pacificorp Energy pled guilty to two counts of unlawful take of migratory birds under a plea deal with prosecutors. Since 2009 more than 350 dead birds, including 38 golden eagles, were found at two wind farms.

The company must also implement a migratory bird compliance plan to avoid bird deaths at four Wyoming wind farms: Seven Mile Hill, Glenrock/Rolling Hills, Dunlap and High Plains/McFadden Ridge.

“PacifiCorp is concerned about the impacts to wildlife from our renewable energy facilities and we have been diligently working with federal and state agencies to protect migratory birds,” said VP renewable resources Mark Tallman.

“We are committed to enhancing protections to wildlife that minimize and mitigate impacts.”

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Congress challenges EPA over wind power “free pass to kill eagles”

By Jack Minor –

House Republicans are seeking information on whether the Obama administration is once again choosing which laws to enforce or not by granting what are essentially waivers to wind energy farms to kill eagles while fining oil and gas companies for similar deaths.

Forbes reported that on March 11, a subpoena was issued to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by the House Natural Resources Committee over documents related to the Migratory Bird Act Treaty and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. The records requested include every case file for each incident that has occurred since 2009.

The issue came up as a result of recent revelations that the Obama administration was going to essentially be giving wind farms an exemption from the law for eagles that die from flying into the fast moving blades. The president has long heralded wind energy as an alternative to the current oil and gas industry.

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4 Things That Kill More Birds Than Wind Farms

Duke Energy, the operator of two major wind farms in Wyoming, was recently fined $1 million dollars for eagles and other birds killed by wind turbines. Although I’ve got little love for Duke Energy (they single-handedly killed 900,000 fish in North Carolina), I do care about the continued expansion of wind power in this country.

This case brings the cyclical debate of wildlife vs. clean energy to the federal level. Yes, I meant cyclical. Here’s how it usually goes (in my head):

1. “Fossil fuels are killing the planet and everything on it (including birds). Let’s switch to renewables like solar and wind.”

2. “Oh man, birds are being killed by wind turbines, and I love birds and believe endangered species should be protected.

3. “Punish the wind farms for killing birds!”

4. “Wait, if we stop building wind farms, or use $1 million fines to discourage companies from building them, it just continues our dependence on fossil fuels.”

5. “See number 1.”

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/4-things-that-kill-more-birds-than-wind-farms.html#ixzz2nNm5c28f

Wind Energy vs. Bald Eagle: Audubon Society Blasts Rule on Allowing Eagle Deaths - Update

By Deb Belt

The Interior Department has finalized a controversial regulation that authorizes permits for wind farms to allow accidental golden and bald eagle deaths for as long as 30 years, reports the National Journal.

A leading conservation group quickly denounced the rule that lengthens the current five-year permit for the unintentional deaths of eagles caused by wind farms and other facilities. Under the rule change the time period allowed for accidental eagle deaths will lengthen to 30 years, the National Journal says.

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OBAMA TO GIVE WIND FARMS 30-YEAR PASS ON EAGLE DEATHS

The Obama administration is about to approve a rule that will ensure the death of golden and bald eagles for the next 30 more years. 

Hundreds of thousands of birds die each year flying into the deadly turbine blades atop the soaring towers that compose wind farms. The rule will give wind farms thirty year permits for the “non purposeful take of eagles-that is where the take is associated with but not the purpose of, the activity.’’ The take of eagles is also a euphemism for the slaughter of them.

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And there was me thinking that the bald eagle was the American national bird revered for its majesty, strength and - guess what - its long life....... hmmm clearly that last particular factor will no longer apply for a significant number of them then.   

RSPB: Wind farm could kill a dozen eagles

RSPB Scotland published an estimate of the death toll and confirmed it will object to the proposal for 12 turbines on the Eisgein estate in the Isle of Lewis.

But Nick Oppenheim, the estate’s owner, accused the charity of double counting because the new development would be next door to a wind farm already given the go-ahead.

The estate, which is located on the Pairc peninsula of Lewis, is home to around a dozen pairs of breeding golden eagles, one of the highest densities in Europe.

It is also one of the favoured sites in the Western Isles for the controversial programme to reintroduce white-tailed sea eagles in Scotland.

However, energy company GDF SUEZ is already pressing ahead with plans for the 39-turbine Beinn Mhor wind farm on the estate.

Read further

Wind Farms Kill Thousands Of Rare Birds, Never Face Prosecution

By Evan Bleier, Tue, May 14, 2013

An Associated Press investigation has discovered that hundreds of thousands of protected birds are killed each year by wind farms, but that the deaths have been kept secret and are never prosecuted.

An estimate by the Wildlife Society Bulletin supposes that 573,000 birds are killed by wind farms each year, including 83,000 hunting birds such as hawks, falcons and eagles. Each one of those deaths is a federal crime.

The Obama administration has never prosecuted a wind energy company for killing a bird, Fox News reported. The administration has prosecuted oil companies when birds drown in their waste pits and power companies when birds are killed by their power lines.

The deaths of the rare birds show there are certainly some downsides to using renewable energy. The amount of available wind power has doubled during President Obama’s first term.

"It is the rationale that we have to get off of carbon, we have to get off of fossil fuels, that allows them to justify this," said long-time environmentalist Tom Dougherty. "But at what cost? In this case, the cost is too high."

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Feds look other way as wind farms kill birds -- but haul oil and gas firms to court

Washington –  Lights left on during a foggy night last year at a West Virginia wind farm are thought to be behind the grizzly deaths of nearly 500 songbirds. 

It was the third time it happened -- and each time, the federal government looked the other way. 

Fast forward to last week. Following the deaths of a dozen migratory birds in Montana, Wyoming and Nebraska several years back, a Denver-based oil company was fined $22,500. The company was also ordered to make an additional $7,500 payment to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.  

The disconnect demonstrates what critics call a blatant double standard that has to change. While the federal government aggressively pursues oil and gas companies for wildlife deaths, it often gives wind producers a pass. 

Proponents say going soft on the wind industry allows it to compete. But environmentalists say, in this instance, it’s unacceptable. 

“The playing field is not leveled,” American Bird Conservancy spokesman Bill Johns told FoxNews.com, recalling the West Virginia incident. “If there had been a serious consequence the first time, there wouldn’t have been a second time and a third time. All they do now is go, ‘Whoops, my bad’ and it’s forgiven.”

The most recent mass bird kill in West Virginia didn’t involve collisions with wind turbines at the sprawling 61-tower complex but instead resulted from a combination of exhaustion and collisions with the substation as the Connecticut warblers, yellow-billed cuckoos and Virginia rails got trapped in the light’s glare and circled in mass confusion before dying.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/12/17/us-wind-farms-under-fire-for-bird-kills/#ixzz2FPLpfDU5

The Computerized Birder: Can Software Stop Bird Strikes on Wind Farms?

There's a common association in many people's minds between wind turbines and dead birds. Opposition to new wind farms often centers on their hazards to raptors and other winged creatures, and yet for as advanced as wind energy technology itself has become, methods for tracking birds are astonishingly analog. 

"Currently the way you do these bird surveys is by putting a guy in a lawn chair," says Russell Conard, a young computer scientist who is pursuing a better way to complete this task. He is talking to us while seated at a picnic bench next to the water at the Lake Erie MetroPark, about 35 minutes south of Detroit. About ten feet away sits a man in a lawn chair doing just what Conard describes--counting the birds that fly through this high-traffic migratory pathway. He is the official counter for this site, which means it is his job to spend eight to ten hours per day, seven days a week, staring up at the sky and recording what he sees. 

Read on:  http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2012/09/the-computerized-birder-can-software-stop-bird-strikes-on-wind-farms/262725/