How hazardous are wind farms for birds?

[Prairiefreak]

The "bird shredders" in Altamont Pass are truly a sight to behold...why they chose to build that monstrosity right in the middle of a bird migration route is just dumbfounding.

[Staff]

"bird shredders" and bat shredders too.

[Staff]

Wind power might blow a hole in bird populations
Some species will not nest near the turbines, while eagles, hawks and migratory flocks can be cut down by the spinning blades.
By Michael Fry
November 2, 2009
Copyright © 2009, The Los Angeles Times

Wind power might blow a hole in bird populations -- latimes.com
excerpt from above:

One stumbling block has been a proposal to place the breeding areas of sage grouse and prairie chickens (neither of which currently receives protection under federal endangered or migratory species statutes) off-limits. The wind industry has asserted that wind projects should be allowed anywhere in the country where there is good wind power potential, except for specifically protected areas. Conservationists argue that the fragmentation of remaining prairie and sagebrush habitat caused by wind development could be the final straw...

[Staff]

Bat Fatalities at Wind Turbines: Investigating the Causes and Consequences
Bat Fatalities at Wind Turbines: Investigating the Causes and Consequences
excerpt from above:

In the push to develop new forms of sustainable energy, the wind power industry is at the forefront. Turbines that harness the power of wind already serve as effective power sources across the globe, and this proven effectiveness has led to vast increases in the number of turbines currently under construction. The general impact of wind turbines on the environment is likely far less than that of conventional power sources.

However, recent evidence shows that certain species of bats are particularly susceptible to mortality from wind turbines. Bats are beneficial consumers of harmful insect pests, and migratory species of bats cross international and interstate boundaries.

Dead bats are turning up beneath wind turbines all over the world. Bat fatalities have now been documented at nearly every wind facility in North America where adequate surveys for bats have been conducted, and...

[Staff]

Wind Energy: A Scare for Bats and Birds
Host: Kara Capelli

USGS CoreCast: Wind Energy: A Scare for Bats and Birds
excerpt from above:

Several USGS scientists are investigating the problem of fatal bat and bird collisions with wind turbines. USGS scientist and bat specialist Dr. Paul Cryan at the Fort Collins Science Center chats with Juliette Wilson about whether we can have our wind turbines and healthy populations of bats and birds too.

[Equilibrium]

"bird shredders" is what they are. You got that one on the head.

[Staff]

Report paves way for wildlife-friendly wind power in Monterey County
Authors: Harm to condor minimized in parts of county
By Sandra M. Chung
October 27, 2009

http://www.thecalifornian.com/articl...onterey-County
excerpt from above:

The thousand of birds killed by the wind turbines at Altamont Pass tainted the reputation of the renewable energy source.

But according to a recent report by the Ventana Wildlife Society and the Stanford Solar and Wind Energy Project, smaller wind-power projects may be able to harvest energy in some parts of Monterey County without harming the endangered California condor...

[Staff]

Wyoming wind developers launch bird study program
Monday April 12, 2010
By James Cartledge

Wyoming wind developers launch bird study program | BrighterEnergy.org
excerpt from above:

Developers of a massive wind project in Wyoming have begun a monitoring program for wild birds, to help guide conservation measures for the development.

The Power Company of Wyoming is developing two sites south of Rawlins in Carbon County that it hopes will host up to 1,000 wind turbines.

The largest site, at Chokecherry, is to comprise 675 turbines, while the other site at Sierra Madre is to host 325 turbines.

The developers believe...