BirdLife reported bird kills as a result of wind turbines, back in 2018, included Diurnal raptors, threatened species such as the Blue Crane, Verreaux’s Eagle, Martial Eagle and Black Harrier.
Now the South African wind energy association (SAWEA) and BirdLife SA formed a committee to work on this challenge, and released a resource to wind farms, to begin using it to save birds.
A joint statement from both SAWEA and BirdLife SA, says the vision of birds, particularly those that hunt from the air, such as birds of prey, has not evolved to perceive large, moving structures in their environment, such as wind turbines, which is caused by birds’ physiological limitations, such as low colour contrast detection ability.
A solution tabled yesterday, was adapted from Norway, and suggests “patterning” which is painting wind turbine blades. This is set to improve bird visibility and reduce avifaunal fatalities.
As an initial outcome of this initiative, SAWEA and BirdLife South Africa, have compiled a briefing document for wind farm developers, environmental consultants, and decision-makers which outlines the key considerations of this innovative, low-tech approach to onsite mitigation.