Collision

Wind energy is expanding rapidly worldwide as countries shift toward renewable power, but this growth has also intensified concerns about its impacts on birds. Each year millions of birds die worldwide as a result of collisions with above ground power lines. Wind farms built near key breeding sites, major congregation areas, bottlenecks, or along important migratory flyways are also a major factor in avian mortality. The impact on populations is likely to increase as energy infrastructure continues to grow, especially in developing countries. As for electrocution, the risks can be significant in old, poorly sited power lines. Human-induced mortality, including infrastructure related collisions, is one of the most significant but under-recognized threats to large birds of prey (Serratosa et al., 2024). 

Under the current commitments to reduce carbon emissions, Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are increasing their investments in renewable energy, particularly large wind farms. However, any renewable energy installations (e.g. solar and geothermal generation facilities) will inevitably lead to an expansion of the powerline distribution network which will likely increase the risk of collisions for migratory birds of prey in certain areas. 

Despite their acute vision, birds’ field of view and normal head position, particularly vultures and eagles, when foraging can make them unaware of obstructions in their direction of travel, and they may be particularly vulnerable to collisions with infrastructure such as wind turbines and powerlines (Martin et al. 2012). Wind farms may also impede migration by acting as barriers, forcing birds to take detours or expend additional energy. Large soaring species, such as eagles, are particularly susceptible because they depend on land-based thermals, which concentrate their movements through narrow migration corridors or bottlenecks.

The proliferation of renewable energy initiatives can therefore be detrimental to migratory birds of prey if the location of turbines and associated infrastructure are in areas favoured by these birds (Jenkins et al. 2010). 

Please find below a compilation of guidelines and recommendations to mitigate the threat of collision to migratory birds of prey.

Guidelines and Recommendations 

• Tracking data highlight the importance of human-induced mortality for large migratory birds at a flyway scale 

  (Serratosa, J. et al., 2024)

• Post-construction Bird and Bat Fatality Monitoring for Onshore Wind Energy Facilities in Emerging Market Countries

• Sustainable deployment of renewable energy technologies and power lines: Avoiding and mitigating negative impacts on biodiversity

• Renewable energy technologies and migratory species: Guidelines for sustainable deployment [UNEP/CMS/COP11/Doc.23.4.3.2]

• Guidelines on how to avoid or mitigate impact of electricity power grids on migratory birds in the African-Eurasian region [Technical Series / CMS 29 / AEWA 50 / CMS Raptors MOU 3]

• Mitigating biodiversity impacts associated with solar and wind energy development: guidelines for project developers

• Impacts of Powerlines on Birds and Appropriate Mitigation Measures

• Guidance on biodiversity cumulative impact assessment for wind and solar developments and associated infrastructure

• Spatial planning for wind and solar developments and associated infrastructure

• Opportunities for enhancing biodiversity at wind and solar energy developments

• Biodiversity and responsible sourcing for wind and solar developments

• Integrated Vegetation Management: Best Practices from across Europe

   

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