Abstract
With global ambitions to decarbonize the energy system, wind power capacity will continue to increase dramatically worldwide. This raises concerns about environmental impacts of wind energy infrastructure and operations, particularly for collision of aerial wildlife. Using a network of weather surveillance radars, we quantified numbers, timing and spatial extent of nightly and annual large-scale bird movements over Western Europe. We also mapped onshore wind turbines and calculated potential energy production using wind speed and distribution data. Integrating bird movement patterns, turbine characteristics and energy production, we estimated the number of birds that are potentially at risk of collision because they fly in proximity to wind turbines and at heights of rotating blades. To demonstrate potential for designing measures to mitigate risk to aerial biodiversity, we derive curtailment scenarios and compare costs and benefits for energy production and conserving biodiversity and show that surprisingly efficient trade-offs may be possible. Our findings contribute to broader efforts for minimizing impacts from wind energy production on migratory bird populations while endeavouring to ensure adequate energy supply.